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HANDS AT BEST 








COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 







MRS. A. M. DREXNAN 



HANDS AT REST 

A SEQUEL TO "FILLED HANDS" 



The Complete Story of Mrs. A. M. Drennan's 
Life and Work In Japan 






BY MRS. J. H. MORTON 



/■ 



W 






Nashville, Tenn. 
Cumberland Presbyterian Publishing House 



3V 34-5-7 



LIBRARY cf CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

NOV 5 J9U4 

Q-Copyrigm tntry 

CLASS dL. , XXc. No 
' COPY B. 



Copyright, 1904 
By the Board of Publication of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church 



INTRODUCTION. 



During Mrs. Drennan's visit to America, after 
a ten years' stay in Japan, I had the good fortune 
to hear her tell on several occasions the story of 
her life and work among the Japanese. The won- 
derful influence of these talks upon her audiences 
so impressed me with the possibilities for good in 
her life story that I longed to give it to the whole 
Church. In attempting this, much of Mrs. Dren- 
nan's language has been retained. 

Like Moses, fresh from the mountain top, her 
countenance was wont to beam with the reflected 
light caught from the near approach to the Master, 
at whose feet she daily sat. While it was ap- 
parent to all about her that she had been in the 
divine presence, she knew not that she was illu- 
minating the lives of those who were so fortunate 
as to come within her influence. Her goodness 
was only excelled by her humility. In closing 
her report for the year 1899 she said: "We now 
consecrate ourselves anew to him in this service, 
ready, if it be his will, to serve another year." 
This simple story of her beautiful life, happy in 
love and sacrifice for her Master, is prepared with 
(5) 



6 INTRODUCTION. 

the hope that many may read it and be led to 
emulate her example. 

I am indebted to Mrs. I. H. Goodnight and 
Mrs. McGoodwin for assistance in collecting ma- 
terial for this work. To them and to all the wo- 
men of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church this 
little book is dedicated. 

Mrs. J. H. Morton. 



CONTENTS. 

Chapter I. Page 

Birth, Childhood, and Parentage 1 1 

Chapter II. 
Conversion, Education, and Marriage — Death 

of Her Husband 15 

Chapter III. 
A Struggle, and Its End 18 

Chapter IV. 
Entering upon the Work 21 

Chapter V. 
Sickness — Visit to the Mountains 25 

Chapter VI. 
Story of a Japanese Baby — Christian Endeavor 

Society Organized — Retrospect 27 

Chapter VII. 
School Work 31 

Chapter VIII. 
New Classes — The Orphanage — Work in Na- 

goya and Ueno . . 37 

Chapter IX. 
First Annual Woman's Conference in Japan — 

Incidents.. . , 43 

(7) 



8 CONTENTS. 

Chapter X. p age 

A Trip into Hida — Work begun at Tsu 47 

Chapter XI. 
Sickness — Call to America 50 

Chapter XII. 
Return to Japan — -Bible Training School — 

Duties of a Bible Woman 53 

Chapter XIII. 
The Work at Shiroko— The Old Women's Class. 58 

Chapter XIV. 
A Little Girl Rescued 61 

Chapter XV. 
The Work as Carried on at Present 65 

Chapter XVI. 
How Supported — New Work 68 

Chapter XVII. 
Interesting Letter — Trip into Shima 72 

Chapter XVIII. 
Japanese Christians at Work 79 

Chapter XIX. 
Progress 84 

Chapter XX. 
The Annual Meeting of the Women of Miye 

Province 89 

Chapter XXI. 
The Celebration of Mrs. Drennan's Seventieth 

Birthday 93 



CONTENTS. 9 

Chapter XXII. p ag e 

Work among the Children . 97 

Chapter XXIII. 
Sickness — Philanthropy — A Busy Household. . 100 

Chapter XXIV. 
A Cause of Much Opposition 105 

Chapter XXV. 
Story of Tsura O Kura San 108 

Chapter XXVI. 
Work in the Cotton Mills — Encouraging Out- 
look — "Twentieth Century Movement".'. 113 

Chapter XXVII. 
Relation to the Work at Tsu — Its Organization 

and Early History 117 

Chapter XXVIII. 
Events Preceding Her Departure 124 

Chapter XXIX. 
The Departure 134 

Chapter XXX. 
Letters from Japan 138 

Chapter XXXI. 
Last Days 143 

Chapter XXXII. 
Memories 149 

Chapter XXXIII. 
The Fragrance of a Life 151 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Page 

Mrs. A. M. Drennan 2 

Mrs. Drennan and O Yone Hara San 35 

Bible Training School Graduating Class 85 

Ship Captain's Family 90 

Mrs. Drennan's Family 101 

Daisy 103 

Tsu Church 116 

Elders of Tsu Church 120 

The Farewell 129 

(10) 



CHAPTER I. 

BIRTH, CHILDHOOD, AND PARENTAGE. 

Mrs. Drennan's work in Japan will commend it- 
self to all who are interested in modern missions; 
but, to the average reader, the interest accorded 
the history of the achievements of a noted man 
or woman is greatly enhanced by a knowledge of 
the early life and peculiar environment leading to 
the development of the character introduced. To 
this end the reader's attention is directed to a 
period, dating as far back as threescore years 
and ten, to find the starting point of this grand 
woman, whose influence has been recognized and 
felt in this and other lands. 

There is nothing wonderful, however, to record 
in the early life of Mrs. Drennan. The most re- 
markable thing, perhaps, was the name which 
greeted her arrival in the world. She was chris- 
tened America Missouri McCutchen, by an old 
uncle, thus demonstrating at a very early age 
her ability for burden bearing. 

Her father, John McCutchen, a Virginian by 

birth, soon after the close of the Revolutionary 

War moved to Southern Kentucky and located 

in what is known as the "Cumberland Country." 

(11) 



12 HANDS AT REST. 

Her mother, Annie Motherel, was born in North 
Carolina, but in early childhood moved with her 
parents to Wilson county, Tenn., and settled near 
where the city of Nashville now stands. She 
married Mr. McCutchen in 1806, and they made 
their home in Kentucky. Mrs. McCutchen was a 
convert of the "great revival of 1800," that noted 
religious awakening that swept over Kentucky 
and Tennessee, resulting in the organization of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

Mrs. McCutchen was a member of the memorable 
Woman's Missionary Society organized at Russell- 
ville, Logan county, Ky., and helped to make that 
wonderful suit of striped linsey that adorned the 
first Cumberland Presbyterian missionary, Rev. R. 
D. Morrow, when he started on his preaching tour 
through Missouri in 1819. 

Mr. and Mrs. McCutchen moved with their little 
family to Pilot Grove, Cooper county, Mo., in 1829. 
They lived within the bounds of Mr. Morrow's 
work. This good man, by his Christian char- 
acter as well as his earnest preaching, did much 
toward stimulating and cultivating a religious 
sentiment in the then "Far West." He was 
a frequent visitor at the house of Mr. McCutchen, 
where he was always welcome, and his presence 
was regarded as a benediction to their home. It 
was here, in the year 1830, July 23, that Mrs. 
Drennan was born, and around this spot cluster 
the memories of her happy childhood. 

If it be true that the conditions surrounding 
the first years of a child's life mould its character, 
then the story that fills these pages but portrays 
the natural development of a child reared in an in- 



HANDS AT REST. 13 

tensely religious atmosphere. When quite a little 
girl she felt that she was a Christian child, and her 
sympathetic heart was often grieved over the sad 
state of her playmates. In revival meetings she 
would often urge them to go to the altar for prayer. 
When about eight years old she attended school 
in the neighborhood, accompanied by a cousin, a 
boy. On the way to school one day they were 
talking, as they often did, about heaven. She was 
very anxious that he be prepared for heaven, and 
begged him to try to become a Christian. The 
boy said he would not try, because "God had or- 
dained who should be saved, and if he was lost he 
could not help it." She was greatly shocked over 
this remark, and prayed for him in her childish way 
most earnestly. She was a thorough Cumberland 
Presbyterian in this particular. The two children 
had doubtless gathered their ideas on the subject 
from conversations heard in their homes relative 
to the causes leading to the organization of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. 
McCutchen had been intimately associated with the 
leaders of that movement. They often entertained 
the young preachers with the story of the revival 
and the early history of the Church. In this way, 
though so young, the child became familiar with 
the doctrines which led to the separation from the 
mother Church. 

She not only showed an interest in her school- 
mates, but in all mission work; especially in the 
work of her uncle, Rev. Robert Bell, who was 
laboring among the Indians. His letters were 
treasured as messages from one of God's honored 
ones. Her mind and heart, even at that early age, 



14 HANDS AT REST. 

seem to have been turned toward such work. She 
listened with interest to the story told by her mother 
of the first Woman's Missionary Society, and the 
thrilling tale of the trials and hardships of the early 
ministers. She read with interest and eagerness 
such books as the life of Mrs. Judson, and her young 
heart was filled with longing to help carry the gos- 
pel to those who had it not.' 

In after years it became a source of regret and 
even of reproach to her own heart, that, knowing 
and loving the way as she did, she delayed so long 
to go out to the open fields to glean for the Master. 



HANDS AT REST. 1 5 



CHAPTER II. 

CONVERSION, EDUCATION, AND MARRIAGE. — DEATH 
OF HER HUSBAND. 

When fifteen years old the thought came to her, 
through the preaching of Rev. P. G. Rea, that she 
was not a Christian. The text from which the 
sermon was preached is found in Jer. viii. 22: "Is 
there no balm in Gilead? is there no physician 
there? why then is not the health of the daughters 
of my people recovered?" The inquiry, "Am I 
really healed?" stirred her heart to its depth. 
At the close of the sermon, while the congregation 
was singing, a good woman told of the joy that was 
in her heart, while her face seemed luminous with 
the love of God. 

Mrs. Drennan tells us that this woman's smile 
pierced her heart with the keenest sorrow. She 
said, "Oh, I never felt like that; I have no such 
joy in my heart!" A sense of utter loneliness 
came over her, and she wept profusely. She then 
resolved, God helping her, that she would become 
one of his children. For several months she was 
in great distress, often going to the altar for prayer, 
and, true to the habit of her childhood, inducing 
many of her companions to join her in seeking 



1 6 HANDS AT REST. 

salvation. The last night of a camp meeting held 
in August, 1845, at Salt Fork church, Saline county, 
Mo., she found peace, and like a weary child she 
seemed to fall into the Savior's arms and rest. 

She was educated in Boonville, Mo. After 
graduating she returned to the same school for a 
post-graduate course. She was at this time • en- 
gaged to be married to Rev. F. A. Witherspoon, 
a young minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church; and, realizing the responsibility of the po- 
sition soon to be assumed, she determined to fit 
herself in every way to become efficient as a pas- 
tor's wife. Two years later, on September 18, 1850, 
she was married, and the duties and pleasures of 
home filled her heart and hands. 

Judge Ewing, in his Memoirs of Mr. Witherspoon, 
adds this tribute to Mrs. Witherspoon, his wife: 
"I hold her up as a model woman for a preacher's 
wife." Mr. Witherspoon was pastor at Kinmun- 
dy, 111., where he died on October 26, 1863, thirteen 
years after their marriage. After this sad event 
she returned to her home in Missouri. 

Strange as it may seem, this good woman, after 
the death of her husband, was in rebellion against 
the God she had loved and trusted so long. This 
was the darkest period of her life. In speaking 
of it she says: "For months I was in this fearful 
state, but, thanks be to God, he did not forsake 
me. I was gently led out of my fruitless struggle 
against him by tender influence lovingly thrown 
around me, and again as a weary child I found 
myself in the ever-waiting arms of my dear Savior. 
Since that time my trust is in God, not in the 
strength of faith I have." 



HANDS AT REST. 1 7 

After this distressing ordeal, through which she 
came as pure gold, tried in the hands of a refiner, 
the desire to give herself to "his work" came with 
renewed force. She was willing to go to distant 
lands if it were God's will. But there were many 
hindrances. She had the care of two. orphan chil- 
dren, the son and daughter of Mr. Witherspoon's" 
brother, and her father was growing feeble; so 
duty demanded that she stay near him. She se- 
cured a situation as teacher in Missouri Female 
College at Boonville. Here her influence was such 
that in a short time every one connected with it 
was converted, and a revival started which reached 
many in the town outside of the school. After 
the war Mrs. Witherspoon gave up her school work 
to devote herself to the care of her aged father 
and the two adopted children. After her father's 
death she was married again, January 28, 1868, 
to Rev. J. A. Drennan, pastor of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church at Lexington, Mo. In two 
years he died, leaving her heart again desolate. 
A month later her only child, a boy thirteen months 
old, was laid beside his father. Almost paralyzed 
with sorrow, she yet trusted, and waited to know 
the Lord's will. Again she entered the school at 
Lexington, having to provide for the education of 
two daughters of Mr. Drennan. With some vari- 
ation she continued for several years in this pleas- 
ant occupation, teaching part of the time at Ox- 
ford, Miss. 



HANDS AT REST. 



CHAPTER III. 

A STRUGGLE, AND ITS END. 

" Evil is wrought by want of thought as well as by want 
of heart." 

Through all the varied scenes she had passed the 
desire to give herself wholly to the Master's service 
increased, yet she did not understand that God 
was "tearing up the nest," and forcing her out 
into the work she had loved from childhood. In 
her deep humility she dared not hope to engage 
in anything so beautiful and Christlike. She felt 
that the time was passed, that she was now too 
old. Yet in the year 1880, when the call came 
through the papers for the women of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church to organize a Board of 
Missions, her whole being was thrilled. She re- 
sponded to the call, and met with other ladies of 
the church in Evansville, Ind., for the purpose of 
considering the matter. The organization was 
effected, and Mrs. Drennan was made chairman 
of the committee to select the location of the 
Board. 

Not long after this a member of the Assembly's 
Board suggested that they ask Mrs. Drennan to go 
to the foreign field. She had never spoken of her 
desire to enter upon this work, and when the mes- 
sage came she was startled. To her tempest-tossed 



HANDS AT REST. 1 9 

heart it was like a beacon light pointing to a harbor 
of safety. She felt that God was. opening her 
heart to them, or they could never have known 
how greatly she desired to go. The next day after, 
receiving the communication from the Board, she 
was in company with some ladies who had heard 
that she was going to be a missionary. They 
congratulated her on her decision, and she was 
about to express her great joy that she was thought 
worthy to go, when a thoughtless one present 
said, "Oh, what good can one of your age do 
there?" This was a cruel blow to the sensitive, 
burdened heart, and awakened and emphasized 
the old trouble suggested by her own mind, that 
her age was an insurmountable obstacle. She had 
for a long time been fighting this trouble, and 
had almost silenced her doubts, but now she dared 
not express her wish to go lest she should bring 
reproach upon the cause. One more year passed, 
and she attended the second meeting of the Board, 
which convened at Bowling Green, Ky. Here her 
influence was felt in a marked degree. Many were 
made to know and feel the grandeur of her" charac- 
ter, so preeminently was it shown in her words 
and manner on this occasion. 

At this meeting Mrs. Drennan suggested the or- 
ganization of synodical and presbyterial. societies, 
which have since been so helpful in carrying on the 
missionary work. She also suggested the circu- 
lar letter plan that has been adopted and used 
successfully in many of our presbyteries. She was 
appointed synodical vice president of Missouri, 
which office she accepted, hoping to find in this 
work that which would satisfy her heart. She or- 



20 HANDS AT REST. 

ganized some societies, but the work did not pros- 
per in her hands. She felt that God had closed 
her lips, and this was not what he would have 
her do. Again, at McMinnville, Tenn., she went 
into the schoolroom, but this work," formerly a 
pleasing task, had now become intolerably irksome 
to her. She gave up the school and determined 
to offer herself to the Board. The struggle had 
been so long that she had already, in mind, given 
up home and friends. Her age had been the one 
great barrier, and the thought came to her that 
it would be an insult to God to offer him so small 
a part of a life that seemed so unprofitable. Very 
sore were the struggles of this truly conscientious 
woman before the victory was won; but God made 
it plain to her in many ways that her work was 
not in the home land, and she felt that, though 
she should be counted a fanatic, she would if per- 
mitted follow Christ even unto death. In describ- 
ing her feelings at this time, she says, "I felt if 
I must die, and my body be buried in the sea, 
that he would bring good out of it, and his name 
be more honored by my death than by my life, 
and I was content that it should be so, if this were 
his will." She had been so entirely convinced that 
the Lord wanted her to go that she dared not 
spend another year in the home land, and would 
have gone even had her application to the Board 
been rejected. 

After due consideration by the members of the 
Board she was accepted. The consecration ser- 
vice was held in the lecture room of the First Cum- 
berland Presbyterian church at Evansville, Ind , 
on Sabbath afternoon, March, 1883. 



HANDS AT REST. 2 1 



CHAPTER IV. 

ENTERING UPON THE WORK. 

After taking leave of the Board Mrs. Drennan 
hastened on to Missouri for a parting word with 
relatives there, having already said good-bye to 
Kentucky friends. Her visit to her friends in 
Missouri was saddened by the unexpected death 
of her oldest sister, who passed away about the 
same hour that Mrs. Drennan was being conse- 
crated. 

After a few days spent with each member of 
her family, she started on her journey eastward. 
At Kansas City she took leave of the last familiar 
face, and was alone, speeding onward to an un- 
known land. She would not have been human 
had she not experienced a feeling of loneliness. 
The way seemed long, the work unknown, but in 
her helplessness she looked to the never-failing 
Source for comfort. Before retiring she opened 
her Bible as usual to read, and her attention was 
arrested by these words: "I will both lay me 
down in peace and sleep, for thou, Lord, only mak- 
est me to dwell in safety." It was, indeed, God 
speaking to his servant. The whole page seemed 
illuminated, but she saw only these words. She 
said, "It is enough; I know he is here," and clos- 



2 2 HANDS AT REST. 

ing the book she prepared to retire. She was 
ready for that rest in peace. The next morning, 
without any thought of the evening's experience, 
she opened her Bible for the morning lesson, and 
again her heart almost stood still as she read the 
words her eyes first rested upon, "I laid me down 
and slept: I awaked, for the Lord sustained me." 
It was as if the one dear Friend were holding con- 
verse with her. After this she never for one mo- 
ment doubted God's presence and care, or had 
one lonely feeling in all that journey. 

After a week spent in San Francisco, she bade 
farewell to her traveling acquaintances, who ac- 
companied her to the ship and placed in her room 
flowers and other evidences of good will; to them 
she waved a last adieu as she left her native shore. 

The ship on which Mrs. Drennan embarked left 
San Francisco on the 19th day cf April, 1883. 
This mode of travel was entirely a new experi- 
ence to her, yet she desired to make the trip alone. 
She wanted only God with her on the great deep; 
to be shut up alone with him where no other could 
disturb the perfect communion, that she might 
be better fitted to do the work to which he had 
called her. When night came she retired to her 
state room, and after lying down she saw on the 
upper berth, written in pencil, the words which 
had before given her so much comfort: "I will 
both lay me down in peace and sleep: for thou, 
Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety." It 
was thus that the whole journey was illumined 
by the Divine presence, seemingly as real to her 
as the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire to the 
children of Israel, 



HANDS AT REST. 23 

Mrs. Drennan reached Japan on the 5th day of 
May, 1883. She was then fifty-three years old. 
At this age many think it time to cease from la- 
bor and enjoy a quiet old age, but we behold this 
woman, with all the enthusiasm and energy of 
youth, just entering upon her great life work. 

When she first set foot upon Japanese soil and 
saw its people, her soul was filled with tenderest 
sympathy, and she felt that she had a message 
for them. But how could she deliver it with no 
knowledge of the language? She said to Mr. Hail, 
a missionary who had been there many years: "1 
do not know what I can do, but I know God sent 
me." She carefully studied every face, gesture, 
and action of those about her, upon the streets, 
in the fields, and by the wayside. Her daily prayer, 
with outstretched hands, was, "O, Lord, fill my 
hands with work, and my heart with love for this 
people. I am here at thy bidding; what wilt thou 
have me to do?" So great was her eagerness for 
work that twenty-four hours seemed too long a 
time to remain idle ; and so soon as her trunks ar- 
rived and her room was arranged she began to look 
for something to do. She felt no need of rest 
after the journey. The one thought, work for 
the Master, filled her heart. So manifest was this 
desire that a knowledge of the language was not 
needed to convey her earnest wish to those about 
her. They felt intuitively that she had come to 
help them, and their usual dread and aversion to 
the foreigner was lost in the magnetism of her 
presence. 

Just three days after her arrival in Osaka three 
young men came to her and asked to learn Eng- 



24 HANDS AT REST. 

lish. One of them already had some knowledge 
of the language, and through him she taught the 
others. She gave them a book on physiology. 
In studying this they were led to talk- of the hu- 
man body and its wonderful structure: then it 
was but a natural step to lead them from the crea- 
ture to the Creator. They advanced so rapidly 
that by the first of June they had completed the 
work on physiology, and she put them on the 
regular Chautauqua course, the book they had 
studied being the first book of the course for that 
year. This was the beginning of the Chautauqua 
work in Japan. She had no idea at the time of 
its reaching beyond the little circle of students in 
her own room, but within five months after she 
reached Japan, in October, 1883, she had regu- 
larly organized the Chautauqua Circle. 

Seeing that the young men were casting off 
idolatry and drifting into infidelity, she realized 
the demand for immediate work in their behalf. 
Knowing that through the young men she could 
reach the people, she devoted much time to them, 
giving them entertainments and preparing a pleas- 
ant room to which they could come for recreation. 

The Chautauqua Circle continued to widen, in- 
cluding men and women, in a short time number- 
ing 1,200 members. Through the influence of this 
work many were prompted to send for Bibles and 
to come asking for light. "The Mission," in speak- 
ing of this branch of the work, said: "It is of in- 
calculable worth in the work." 



HANDS AT REST. 25 



CHAPTER V. 

SICKNESS. — VISIT TO THE MOUNTAINS. 

On the 20th of July a Japanese festival was 
held in the city. There were wonderful displays 
on the streets and in the shops. Mrs. Drennan 
was persuaded by her pupils to go with them to 
see the exhibit, which was indeed a strange sight 
to American eyes. It was the great festival of 
the god of that section. This god was brought 
to the river and put into a boat with much cheer- 
ing. The boat was beautifully decorated and 
lighted. After the god was seated, the boat was 
filled with priests and singing girls, who made the 
air ring with their music. Another boat followed, 
filled with combustibles covered with oil, which 
was lighted, making a brilliant illumination. The 
entire city was gorgeous with decorations, and 
marvelous transformations of their wares into like- 
nesses of human figures, historic scenes, fountains, 
lakes and waterfalls. Even imitations of elabo- 
rate and beautiful dresses were made of cups and 
saucers of blue and figured china, the whole gar- 
ment being bordered with tiny white china, giving 
the effect of ermine. All this was extremely in- 
teresting to Mrs. Drennan, and she remained on 
the streets so long that she was overcome by the 



2 6 HANDS AT REST. 

heat, and forced to resort to the ever-ready and 
convenient jinrikisha, to be conveyed to her board- 
ing house. She was so prostrated from this ex- 
posure to a Japanese sun in a Japanese crowd 
that it became necessary for her to leave the city; 
accordingly, on the last of July she went to the 
mountains for rest. 

The stay in the mountains not proving bene- 
ficial, she remained only one week, but spent the 
remainder of the vacation as Kobe, by the seaside. 
It was a delightful season of rest. Miyoshi San 
and others of her pupils visited her at this place, 
and the time was profitably spent in teaching 
English and learning what she could of the Japanese 
language. In August, 1883, our mission bought a 
lot on the Concession in Osaka for the purpose of 
beginning a school. There were three houses on 
this lot, w r hich were used for dwelling-, boarding-, 
and schoolhouses. In September Mrs. Drennan 
moved into one of these houses and resumed her 
classes of young men. These classes increased so 
rapidly that it became necessary to have afternoon 
and night sessions. Three times each week during 
the fall and winter she held children's meetings 
in different parts of the city. The three young 
men who were her first pupils assisted in this work. 
She first taught the young men the Bible lesson, a 
picture story, and the songs to sing, and .they after- 
ward repeated it all to the children. The young 
men were much interested; the rooms were often 
filled with children, and many grown people stood 
about the doors, eager to see what it was that 
pleased the children so much. This work was 
kept up until stopped by the priests. 



HANDS AT REST. 



CHAPTER VI. 

STORY OF A JAPANESE BABY. CHRISTIAN ENDEAV- 
OR SOCIETY ORGANIZED. — RETROSPECT. 

The second week of October, 1883, when it 
seemed that her hands were already full, Mrs. 
Drennan was requested to take for her own a baby 
one year old. The poor father's possessions had 
been twice burned; he had the care of his mother 
and an aged grandmother in addition to his five 
children. His wife, he said, could be of little 
help with the baby strapped to her back, so he 
had decided to put the three eldest children out 
as nurses, and the baby and the boy of six he brought 
to Mrs. Drennan. He had lived near the place 
where she had been holding children's meetings, 
and perhaps the man knew in this way of her 
love for children, and could readily trust her with 
his own; yet surely we can recognize the Divine 
hand leading this heathen father toward the light. 
The family at this time were all idolaters. Mrs. 
Drennan was so very busy that she thought but 
little of the request until it was repeated the third 
time; then she said: "Perhaps this is of the Lord; 
I have promised him to take whatever he sends 
me. I dare not turn this away; I feel that it is 
God-sent." She was teaching her Bible class when 



2 8 HANDS AT REST. 

the parents came to her house with the children. 
The young men were reading at this hour the 
twenty-seventh verse of the ninth chapter of Mark: 
"Whosoever shall receive one of such children in 
my name receiveth me, and whosoever receiveth 
me, receiveth him that sent me." When the visi- 
tors were announced she rose from her desk and 
went out and received the children, and immedi- 
ately returned to her class and took up the ex- 
planation of the verse, which she says had ever 
afterward a deeper meaning to her. 

The baby she called Daisy. The boy whom the 
parents brought as nurse for the baby was not 
yet seven years old, and too small, Mrs. Drennan 
thought, for such a burden, so a nurse was hired. 
But the boy, Shozo, was allowed to remain and 
go to school until he grew too large for a girl's 
school. Then she sent him to his father, who 
had prospered in business and had taken his older 
children home. Through Shozo San's influence 
the entire family became Christians, the aged 
grandmother receiving baptism at the age of ninety. 
In a letter to Mrs. Drennan several years later, 
Shozo writes: "Sensie [Honored Lady], I thank 
you so much for all you have done for us. If you 
had not taken me, we would none of us have been 
Christians, so I thank you for all we have and are." 

Little Daisy was very bright, and soon learned 
to speak English, and to sing and play on the organ. 
She was so small that it was a surprise and always 
entertaining to those who heard her. In many 
ways she became a help to her faithful friend by 
unconsciously opening the hearts of the Japanese 
people to hear the truth. She often distributed 



HANDS AT REST. 29 

tracts to the passers-by, who did not hesitate to 
take them when offered by the pretty little tot 
in foreign dress, and she invited them to enter 
so politely that they could not refuse her winning 
manner. By this means Mrs. Drennan was afforded 
many opportunities to speak to people about 
Christ which she would not otherwise have had, 
and she was soon made to feel and acknowledge 
the wisdom of God in sending to her the little 
Japanese baby. 

Mrs. Drennan writes: "Daisy is now (1899) 
seventeen years old, is developing into a useful, 
good girl, and is very busy, neat, industrious, and 
studious; is the organist at church and music 
teacher in the school. She is a Christian, and 
gives promise of being an intelligent Christian 
worker." 

In the fall of 1883, while waiting for the opening 
of the girls' school, which took place in January, 
1884, Mrs. Drennan organized a Christian En- 
deavor Society. She was assisted in this work 
by Nishi San, who was an elder in the church at 
Osaka. The society grew very rapidly, and soon 
published a paper for gratuitous distribution, called 
"Words of Life." Four hundred copies each 
month were scattered broadcast. The meetings 
were held in her rooms. This was the first Christian 
Endeavor Society in Japan. 

It is interesting to note the different lines of 
work that had been undertaken by Mrs. Drennan 
during the first nine months of her stay in Japan. 
Her first efforts led to the organization of classes 
in English for young men. Very soon the Chau- 
tauqua Circle was formed and a periodical started. 



30 HANDS AT REST. 

Children's meetings were held in different parts 
of the city; Sunday schools were introduced; two 
children were adopted; a Christian Endeavor So- 
ciety was organized, and the girls' school opened. 
These are some of the wonderful results of Mrs. 
Drennan's work, all of which was accomplished 
in less than one year by a woman who was thought 
by some to have passed the age-line for usefulness. 

In a letter to the Woman's Board, dated April 
7, 1884, little less than one year after her arrival 
in Japan, she thus writes: "Yesterday was our 
quarterly communion. There were eight appli- 
cants for baptism, and among them I will name 
the father, mother and grandmother of my two 
children, two of my boarding pupils, and two 
young men. Two of these young men were con- 
verted in my room." 

In a private letter she says: "I look back now 
over my first year's work in Japan with wonder 
and gratitude. I feel that God had me in his own 
school. I must study the people, and learn by 
diligent thought and prayer what I should do 
and how work. I was shut up to that only way 
of learning, and though at times it was almost 
crucifying, yet I believe it was a blessing to me. 
God himself was teaching and leading me and 
blessing the humble efforts I made in utter de- 
pendence upon him. I see now that I was busy 
day and night, yet I do not remember that I ever 
felt tired. My heart was on one thought — work, 
work, because Christ had sent me, and I must 
do all I could." 



HANDS AT RKST. 



CHAPTER VII. 



SCHOOL WORK. 



On January 8, 1884, the Wilmina School for 
Girls was opened with four pupils, three girls and 
the little boy, Shozo San. When they had their 
first vacation, the last of June, there had been 
seventeen pupils enrolled. For some reason the 
English-speaking teacher, who had been of so 
much service to Mrs. Drennan as interpreter, was 
removed, and she was left with no one in the 
house who could speak to her in English. As 
she only knew a few Japanese words she was forced 
to govern chiefly by signs. Referring to this time 
she says: "How I got along I am sure I do not 
know. I ate such things as were cooked by an 
inexperienced cook, and when I asked her for a 
dish of snakes for dinner instead of lobsters, it was 
no matter of great surprise." The need of more 
room was of even greater necessity than an inter- 
preter, but it was some time before a new school 
building was erected to accommodate the rapidly 
increasing patronage. However, it was finished 
and they moved into it on the 19th day of May, 
1887. From this time, under her skilful manage- 
ment, the school not only paid all expenses, in- 



32 HANDS AT REST. 

eluding teachers' hire and for all needed furniture 
and repairs, but at the close of the year paid a 
small sum into the treasury of the mission. 

The following year she enrolled forty-five board- 
ing pupils and one hundred and five day pupils. 
The many discomforts and inconveniences that 
she suffered in the old building only find expression 
in her words of thanks for the new. To the Board 
she wrote: "Thanks, a thousand thanks, and God's 
blessing to the women and children of the church 
for these new joys and comforts." 

She began a night class for men in the spring 
of 1887 on "Dojima," this being one of the many 
small islands into which the city of Osaka is di- 
vided by the two rivers and numerous canals 
which pass through it, all of these islands being 
thoroughly connected by very good bridges. 
"Jima" means island; "Do," the name of this 
particular island, means home or temple. It is 
here that the governor has his residence. It is a 
most promising field. She had a large number of 
pupils every night studying the Bible after Eng- 
lish lessons. She was at this place the night that 
the school building was burned, on February 8, 
1888. She was not permitted to continue work 
at this place very long on account of the accumu- 
lation of school duties, caused by the sickness and 
retirement of Miss Renzer from the school. 

There was a fine prospect for building up a 
good church at Dojima. The Baptists took it 
soon after Mrs. Drennan left, and now have a 
church there as the outgrowth of her work. 

Mrs. Drennan lost everything by the fire, but 
she had many influential friends, who secured her 



HANDS AT REST. 33 

a home in the city where she lived as their guest 
without passport, and the next week after the 
fire she resumed her school work. 

By this fire the school was well advertised, so 
that there were more day-pupils than before, and 
notwithstanding the great loss sustained and the 
want of room which compelled her to give up 
some of her boarders, it was more than self-sus- 
taining. She kept a strict financial record of the 
school's standing. A part of this was burned, 
but the following is an extract from her book, 
showing how systematic and painstaking she was 
in all her affairs: 

"Before the Fire. — Boarding pupils, forty-five; 
day pupils, one hundred and five; total, one hun- 
dred and fifty. Paid to Rev. J. B. Hail, treasurer 
of the mission, June, 1888, $33.42. Four bap- 
tisms among the pupils during the year. The 
"Watch Myself and Work Society," an organization 
for children, did good work. Their contributions 
were divided, one-half going to the Japanese 
Church, and the other half going to the Board to 
help start a school in Mexico. All who were con- 
nected with the society were converted, and through 
the children many of the parents were also brought 
to Christ. A good collection of books and maps 
had been sent to the school. Also some speci- 
mens for the beginning of a museum." 

"In June, 1888, After the Fire. — Number of pu- 
pils, one hundred and twenty-six; number of board- 
ing pupils, twenty-eight; total, one hundred and 
fifty-four." 

Mrs. Drennan's school work in Osaka ended in 
1888, Further information in regard to it is learned 



34 HANDS AT REST. 

from O Yone San, Mrs. Drennan's helper and in- 
terpreter, who, after graduating at the American 
mission in June, came to Mrs. Drennan in January, 
1885. Such have been the attachment and faith- 
fulness of this Japanese woman, and so closely is 
her life interwoven with that of Mrs. Drennan from 
this period, that she deserves especial mention, 
not only as an efficient helper, but as the constant 
companion and valued friend of her dear "Sensie." 

The following extract is from a letter written 
by O Yone Hara San, relative to the Wilmina 
School, after having been with Mrs. Drennan more 
than ten years: 

"The school increased, but the house was too 
small to accommodate more, and 'Sensie' emptied 
one of her rooms and made herself inconvenient 
and uncomfortable till we had a new building. 
At this time there were forty-five boarding pupils 
and one hundred and five day pupils. When we 
moved into the new building, according to our 
custom, we invited the governor, mayor, officers 
of the government, and also their wives, who were 
her pupils. We had essays and speeches and 
singing in both languages. To most of the officers 
this was the first time they had ever attended 
the Christian school, and they were greatly pleased 
and impressed by the ceremony. As we had such 
an excellent teacher as Mrs. Drennan, our fame 
went out far and wide, and it was really the model 
of a Christian school. Sensie taught morning, 
afternoon, and night. I think there are only a 
few people who can work as much as she does. 
She was loved by everybody. I do not know 
whether there are others who are so highly honored 



HANDS AT REST. 



35 



and loved by the Japanese people as Sensie. The 
reason is, she loves the people, and her whole heart 
is in her work. So her actions differ from others. 
All say she is the most skillful Scripture inter- 



Mm& 





1 ^ 


I ^ ■ ; 








\"" 4 


Jtjt, ' 




■ .. - ; .; : ■ .... : 


a #> C- 


: ':-<:--0iM- : - r/: 


1 ' -' 


S^^L^W^v '>' *^J* 





MRS. DRENNAN AND O YONE HARA SAN. 



prefer. A great many times her teachings go out 
through preachers' sermons. I often hear people 
say she is the rarest among the missionaries. She 
does not think of anything but the Master's work. 



36 HANDS AT REST. 

She spends all her money in her work, and her 
living is very simple, and sometimes I feel very 
sorry for her. The Lord has been so good to me 
in placing me under her care. When I think of 
my privilege of working with her and learning so 
many useful lessons, I thank God for his goodness, 
and in some measure desire to be like her, and to 
become a useful worker in his vineyard. 

"Yone Hara. 
"Tsu, Ise, Japan, 1896." 



HANDS AT REST. 37 



CHAPTER VIII. 

NEW CLASSES. — THE ORPHANAGE. — WORK IN NA- 
GOYA AND UENO. 

In September, 1885, Mrs. Drennan organized a 
woman's class. She first taught them English, 
cooking, and fancy work, but they soon became 
interested in Christianity, and came regularly for 
Bible study. They were chiefly the wives of officers. 
At first this class was small, but it grew until it 
numbered forty. On New Year's day, 1887, Mr. 
Soto, who was president of the government revenue 
department, came to thank her for teaching his 
wife, and the next week engaged her to teach in 
the revenue department office. She had thirty 
pupils among the officers of this department, Mr. 
Soto being among the number. They were all 
deeply interested in Christianity. She taught them 
until the close of the school in 1888. Many of the 
wives of these officers joined the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church in Osaka, and were faithful workers 
there until their husbands were moved by the 
government's order to other places. One of the 
women became the wife of a high military officer 
just before the breaking out of the war with China, 
and her name will go into history because of her 



38 HANDS AT REST. 

noble Christian spirit, manifested in her self-sacri- 
ficing work for the relief of the suffering and care 
for the poor during the war. 

Although it seemed that Mrs. Drennan's time 
was already fully occupied, her eager hands and 
great heart reached out to embrace another work 
that bade fair to eclipse all that she had introduced 
in developing the Japanese in Christian charity. 
It had long been her cherished wish to establish 
an orphanage, to be supported by the married 
women's class, numbering at this time thirty mem- 
bers. The women imbibed the enthusiasm of the 
teachei and worked eagerly, preparing bedding 
and clothes for this purpose. They put by a con- 
siderable sum of money, and Mrs. Drennan secured 
government permission, and thirteen orphans were 
procured through legal channels. She had the as- 
surance of the support and assistance of the best 
men in Osaka, who had been very kind, and who 
had proffered all the aid she needed in the enter- 
prise. However, this work was deemed inexpe- 
dient by the Woman's Board in America, and was 
abandoned. 

The accumulation of care and work, together 
with crowded sleeping apartments and bad water, 
caused her health to fail, and she was compelled 
to resign from the school. She went to Nagoya 
with her helper in October, 1888, where she engaged 
in direct evangelistic work.- In Nagoya she left 
a little church of thirty members, a preaching place 
well furnished, and thirteen yen in bank. Five 
native preachers grew out of her work. 

When about to leave Osaka, where she had 
spent five years, her many friends were in deep 



HANDS AT REST. 39 

sorrow. O Yone San tells us that her pupils wept 
and begged her to stay. She says: "Even the 
government officers sent for me to come, and when 
I went they told me to beg her to stay. When the 
time of her departure came their grief was great, 
and she received many kind letters of introduction 
from them to the chief Secretary of State, mayor, 
military officers and others." 

At first there was great opposition to Christianity 
in Nagoya because the people thought it was Ro- 
man Catholicism, which the government forbade 
them to believe; but Mrs. Drennan's earnest 
Christian life and tactful plan soon weakened the 
old prejudice. She obtained permission to organ- 
ize a women's school. This work began in No- 
vember with only two pupils, but she knew not 
discouragement, and very soon, through Bible 
classes for young men, and inquiry meetings for 
all, a little church grew, which was organized with 
ten members in January, 1889. 

In September of this year a very interesting 
girls' school was started, and the following Decem- 
ber a boys' school was begun. 

A Christian Endeavor Society was organized in 
April, 1888, and was called the Manna Society. 
About the seventh of March the president of the 
government school sent an urgent request to Mrs. 
Drennan to come to Yokhaich, a station about 
twenty miles from Nagoya. For years this had 
had been a sealed city, the people saying that no 
Christian should live there. Mrs. Drennan re- 
sponded to the call. The result of this one visit 
was a class of ten names signed for Bible study. 
She made weekly visits until a preaching place was 



4-0 HANDS AT RKST. 

opened, and an earnest class of Bible students 
formed. Miss Rezner then took charge of the work. 
(See Annual Report, 1890, p. 21.) 

After the union of all the Presbyterian bodies in 
Japan it was thought best that Mrs. Drennan's 
little church of thirty members, which was now 
meeting its own running expenses, should unite 
with the other Presbyterians in Nagoya. Her 
school was also turned over to them, and Mrs. 
Drennan was transferred to Ueno, Iga, a city of 
15,000 inhabitants in the interior of Japan. 

There was no Christian in the province of Iga. 
She willingly gave up her work so pleasantly 
started in Nagoya, and with undaunted courage 
and unswerving faith entered the unknown field 
cheerfully, with only God and her helper for com- 
panions. 

She first selected an attractive location for her 
home, and fitted up a room near-by for a church. 
Immediately she set about organizing Sunday 
schools, Bible classes, English classes, and working 
classes. The people of Ueno did not know of 
Christianity, but they did know of Mrs. Drennan's 
aptness in teaching English, and that was what 
they wished. At this time the study of English 
was quite popular among the upper classes of 
Japanese. In response to their call she said to 
them: "I will teach you English, because through 
that I hope to be able to win you to listen to the 
teachings of the Bible." She said: "The Lord 
seemed to ask me what was in my hand. I said, 
'English only,' and then it seemed he said to me: 
'Use what thou hast.'" 

Her marvelous success is shown in the statement 



HANDS AT REST. 41 

in the annual report that during the year there 
were thirty converts and other candidates for 
baptism. Her two boys, as she sometimes styled 
the young men who were the first fruits of her 
labors in Japan, and whom she had placed in school, 
gave her efficient help whenever they could get a 
day out of school. These two young men, Kim- 
mura San and Matsuda San, were both studying 
for the ministry. 

Work was carried on in five other parts of the 
city. In a letter to a friend she says: "We are 
trying to awaken these people to a knowledge of 
Christ, so we have meetings and classes every night 
in the week, and a class every afternoon in English, 
two work meetings, with knitting, crocheting, and 
fancy work, also Bible lessons, singing and prayer." 

In September, 1891, with money sent her by 
two Kentucky boys, she rented a house in the best 
part of the city, where the people were wealthy 
but hard to reach. She had a Sunday school there 
every Sabbath, and preaching every Saturday night, 
with a woman's meeting on Sunday afternoons. 
The interest grew, and in a few months some of the 
most influential men in high office were interested. 
It was at this point that she organized what she 
called her second church. It was named the Mu- 
kaijima Church. Here the first infants were bap- 
tized in the city. A gentleman while studying 
the Confession of Faith preparatory to his own 
baptism, noticed that infant baptism was allowed, 
and immediately called on Mrs. Drennan for an 
explanation. After listening intently he said: 
"Sensie, if you will allow 1 want my baby baptized 
when its mother and I are. I do not want a breath 
3 



42 HANDS AT RKST. 

of sin to blow upon my darling baby. I will do 
all I can to train her up for God." To the faithful 
missionary it was indeed a blessed sight to see the 
little ones thus dedicated to God by believing 
parents. The oldest member of that church was 
eighty years old. 



HANDS AT REST. 43 



CHAPTER IX. 

FIRST ANNUAL WOMAN'S CONFERENCE IN JAPAN. — 
INCIDENTS. 

In May, 1892, the Christian women of Ueno 
united with Mrs. Drennan to hold the first annual 
woman's meeting. This was a remarkable meet- 
ing; the Holy Spirit was present and helped those 
women so recently brought into light to speak and 
pray with great freedom and power. Mrs. Drennan, 
in speaking of the meeting, says: 

"I wish that I could write you much that was 
said, their experience, their temptations, trials, and 
the opposition they have met with; their joy in 
Christ, their new strength, hopes and aspirations, as 
expressed in this meeting. One case I will write 
you, as it will serve as a sample. . . .As nearly as 
I can write the translation, she said that a little 
over a year ago some one told her that a foreign 
woman had come into town to live here. She 
replied: 'I wonder what the woman came here 
for; there is nothing for her to do here. No way 
to make money in this place. I don't know what 
brought her here anyhow.' All this in a very 
contemptuous language 1 and tone. Soon some- 
one brought the news that the woman was a ' Kris- 



44 HANDS AT REST. 

tan,' and that her son often went to her house. 
At this she became very angry, and when her son 
came home in the evening from his school she 
demanded why he went to that hated foreigner's 
house. Did he not know that he would bring 
disgrace upon their family, and greatly offend all 
their relations? He replied: 'She is a very kind 
lady, and treats us all kindly. She is teaching- 
English, and many of us are learning English from 
her,' etc. This seemed reasonable enough, but 
she felt that she would rather that he would never 
learn English than to get it that way. . . .At last 
he told her that he was a Christian, and wished 
to be baptized and become a member of the church. 
With tears streaming down from her eyes the told 
us how rudely she had treated him and talked to 
him, to all of which he either made no reply, or 
did it so kindly, so humbly, with no show of anger, 
that she was greatly puzzled to understand him. 
She would not yield her point, however, but be- 
came even more severe in her rebukes to him. 
He looked up with such a loving expression in his 
face and said: 'Mother, you do not understand 
this, or you would not talk so. This is a good re- 
ligion. Please let me talk to you about it.' This 
made her very angry again, and she ordered him 
peremptorily to stop. He bowed his head and 
prayed so earnestly for her, even while she still 
talked, that God would bless his mother and lead 
her to the light, etc. This, she said, cut her heart 
as with a knife, but she was too stubborn to yield. 
When he arose from prayer he went to church and 
was baptized that day. She greatly wondered at 
the change in him, but fretted day by day. As 



HANDS AT REST. 45 

he returned from school she met him with re- 
proachful words and tearful face. About this time 
he began to study the Old Testament, so left his 
New Testament in his room when he went to 
school. She had been anxious to see what kind 
of a book it was which he was studying so atten- 
tively, and carrying with him so carefully wherever 
he went, so when she found it on his table she at 
once began to read it. At night she and her 
husband together read the wonderful book that 
made such a change in their son. Day by day 
she read whenever she could stop a moment from 
her work. Thus it was that the son found her 
reading it while at her loom, and had great joy 
in teaching her the words which she did not un- 
derstand, and the meaning of the passages which 
she was reading. That week we had been pray- 
ing for her. . . . Soon she became so much changed 
in feeling that we could venture to visit her. Our 
Bible woman began to instruct her, and thus she 
became an earnest, zealous Christian. Her son 
was now preparing for the ministry. When she 
finished telling her story we were all weeping 
with her. She so humbly confessed her former 
ignorance and sin, and so thankfully spoke of her 
new life in Christ. Many other stories quite as 
interesting I could relate, but this will serve to 
show you some of the joys of our first annual 
woman's meeting at Ueno. 

"A. M. Drennan. 
"Ueno, Iga, Japan, May 24, 1892." 

One day an old man came to talk to Mrs. Dren- 
nan about Christianity. At the close of the con- 



46 HANDS AT REST. 

versation he said most pathetically: "Oh, why 
were they so long in bringing this good news to us ? 
If it had come a few years ago, I could have studied 
and become a Christian; now it is too late." He 
was a good student, a fine classical Chinese scholar, 
and thought Christianity had to be studied as a 
new language; but the simplicity of the gospel was 
explained to him so clearly that he was much 
comforted, and said he would come again to learn 
more of it. 

The people of this province were extiemely 
grateful to Mrs. Drennan for bringing the gospel 
to them. No one, they said, had thought it worth 
while before. On one occasion a man of eighty- 
two years had been kept from the Bible lesson 
for some time by a hurt received in a fall. When 
he had recovered sufficiently to walk he came 
eagerly to the old men's class, but before taking 
his seat he saw on the wall a cluster of Bible pic- 
tures that had been sent from the United States 
to Mrs. Drennan. She explained them to him, 
one by one, teaching in her own inimitable way 
the Bible truths there represented. Tears filled 
the old man's eyes as he said: "When I do not 
hear for a long time, I grow hungry and weak, but 
I can think on these many days." Then he care- 
fully wrote down what he had heard, so that when 
unable to walk he could read and enjoy again the 
feast. These glimpses of her life reveal a few of 
the pleasant phases that made her work a labor 
of love, richly compensating for the toil and pri- 
vations she had so uncomplainingly borne. 



HANDS AT REST. 47 



CHAPTER X. 
A TRIP INTO HIDA. — WORK BEGUN AT TSU. 

In June, 1892, Matsuda San having graduated, 
he at once became pastor of the church at Ueno. 
Mrs. Drennan, at her own expense, had kept him 
in school six years. She was now relieved of the 
responsibility of the Ueno work. In a private 
letter she writes: "It is a great joy to me to feel 
that God has allowed me to help prepare the work- 
er, and to see him duly settled in the work. The 
past six years have been years of toil and anxious 
waiting, but God has permitted me to see the 
consummation of my wishes, for which I do most 
humbly thank him." 

She had grown so tired with the long strain on 
her mind and nerves that she promised herself a 
good long rest as soon as the new pastor came. 
But as the burden of Ueno was removed, a great 
anxiety for the opening of a distant province 
came into her heart. It was so difficult of ac- 
cess that for a long time she was dissuaded from 
the attempt, but when the other missionaries 
started to the mountains for rest she and her 
helper secured passports and started for the prov- 
ince of Hida. It was three days' travel by jin- 



48 HANDS AT REST. 

rikisha after leaving the railroad to the capital 
of the province, Takayama, and they were de- 
tained four days in travel by the breaking of O 
Yone San's jinrikisha. The day that she was 
sixty-two years old, July 23, 1892, Mrs. Drennan 
walked much of the way up the steep mountain 
side in the rain. There were frequent earth- 
quakes, preceded by portentous rumblings, and 
ending* in terrible explosions, but there was no 
fear in her heart. She says that the air was so 
pure that she felt strong and young and she could 
not realize that she was sixty-two years old. She 
adds: "It never seemed hard to me, because at 
the end of my journey lay a great city of 25,000 
people who had never heard of Christ, the center 
of a population of two millions." 

She found the people intelligent and kind. She 
was the only foreign woman who had ever been 
in this province, and although the people were 
very curious they were never uncivil. The chief 
of police sent an escort with her when she wished 
to go out on the streets, lest she might receive 
rudeness. They seemed to think that she had 
greatly honored them by her visit. Even the 
Roman Catholics had never reached this point, 
and to her it seemed a much neglected but impor- 
tant field. She expected to remain there one 
month looking over the field, and was willing to 
be used there if God so directed, but very soon 
news came of sickness in the church at Ueno. 
The young pastor had been called away to see his 
mother, who was dying, so, without having time 
to rest from her journey, she was compelled to 
return to Ueno, feeling that the dutv lvins- nearest 



HANDS AT RKST. 49 

now was to comfort her troubled people at home. 

The result of this visit to Takayama is seen in 
the establishment of a mission there by the Epis- 
copal Church, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church 
not feeling able to undertake the work at this time. 

She returned to Ueno, taking up the work there 
in the absence of Matsuda San. There were now 
twelve places for holding service in that city and 
a church of sixty members. The preachers there 
were Matsuda San, Ohira, and a licentiate. In 
September, 1893, she began work at Tsu, the 
capital of the province of Ise. She placed Mr. 
Kimura in charge of the work at Tsu, while she 
divided her time, spending half here and half at 
Ueno. These cities were sixty miles apart. When 
at Tsu she slept and ate in Japanese fashion, and 
had no fire in her room; the winter was intensely 
cold, and the frequent changes gave her cold, but 
she kept up this practice of alternating every two 
weeks until the last of January, when she was com- 
pelled to go to Kioto for treatment. She had 
spent three years in Ueno, and during that time 
sixty persons had embraced Christianity, of whom 
four became preachers. 



50 HANDS AT REST. 



CHAPTER XL 

SICKNESS. — CALL TO AMERICA/ 

Mrs. Drennan remained in Kioto until March, 
when she returned to her home so feeble that 
her physicians wrote a letter recommending that 
she go to her native shores for health. The Board 
wrote her, that the time was at hand for her re- 
turn. Very soon a letter came from Mrs. Drennan 
saying that she was fully restored, she believed, 
in answer to prayer. Writing to a friend at this 
time she said: "Home, friends, and native land 
so near in sight, seem indeed sweet to think of, 
but not half so sweet as the joy of the work here. 
I can do so little for the Master, but that little 
is so good to me." 

Mrs. Drennan's work was really not in a con- 
dition that she could with propriety leave it at this 
time. There were four girls whose support had 
been promised by societies in America, but for 
some reason had been given up. These she could 
not turn out into the world uncared for, so she 
kept up their support herself. Writing to a friend 
she said: "I did not see how I could leave the 
work at this time, so much just begun, and my 
girls unprovided for. It is necessary that I help 



HANDS AT REST. 5 1 

them into situations before I leave them, and I 
am truly grateful that I need not go this spring." 

She planned a system of village work to be 
carried out by her own women, so that every 
village in Iga was to be visited, and work estab- 
lished wherever there was an opening. As the 
work was well organized at Ueno she moved to 
Tsu in January, 1893, where her life represented 
the same busy line of teaching, visiting and hold- 
ing religious service. But with all this, she found 
time to write letters of instruction weekly to the 
women of the church at Ueno, and through the 
Bible class women there kept up the work among 
the women. 

There was much opposition to Christianity at 
this place also. Children who attended the Sun- 
day school were threatened by the priests, and 
degraded in their classes, and made the butt of 
ridicule until driven from the school. Notwith- 
standing the work was so difficult in a few months 
she had established a flourishing church. There 
were so many openings where work could be started 
that she wrote the Board: "I wish we had a dozen 
workers, real workers, to come this spring." 

The physical condition of Mrs. Drennan later on 
made a return to America imperative. In July, 
just before leaving Tsu, she wrote that she had 
succeeded in having all her girls provided for dur- 
ing her absence, and also had arranged her work 
so that it need not suffer. So pleasantly and 
perfectly had Providence overruled her affairs that 
she could come home without a care. Even little 
Daisy was satisfactorily provided for, and she en- 
tered upon a journey home with a mind at rest, 



52 HANDS AT REST. 

but so weary in body that she could scarcely 
walk from her jinrikisha to the end of the wharf 
where she took a little boat to go to the ship. She 
speaks of the voyage as delightfully restful; and, 
indeed, this was the only rest she experienced 
during her visit. After her arrival in America she 
was going continually, and speaking at least once 
a week during the time she was in the home land. 
She visited thirty-three towns in eleven different 
States. 

She left Japan on August 5, 1893, on the steamer 
Peking, and reached Pueblo, Col., August 31, where 
she remained a few T days with her sister; then she 
came to Missouri, spending a short time with her 
brother, before hastening to Franklin, Ky., that 
she might see her aged sister before her death. 
She remained in the United States until August, 
1894, making just one year's absence from Japan 



HANDS AT REST. 53 



CHAPTER XII. 

RETURN TO JAPAN. — BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL. — 
DUTIES OF -A BIBLE WOMAN. 

Mrs. Drennan was accompanied to Japan by 
Mrs. Lyon and Miss Alexander. During the voy- 
age there was a fearful storm; no one could stand 
in the ship at times. On one of these occasions, 
when it was in great danger of being wrecked, Mrs. 
Drennan fell, striking her side on the edge of a cot. 
This hurt gave her trouble afterwards, but she 
never complained, even to her relatives. 

After Mrs. Drennan returned to Japan she found 
the young church at Tsu in great need of help. 
The people were willing, but ignorant of how to 
carry on the work. They realized and expressed 
their helplessness to her by saying: "We have been 
stretching our necks a long time, Sensie, hoping 
to see you come." It was a great pleasure to her 
to lead them out of their trouble back into the work 
which they had learned to love so well. 

The Ueno church had also suffered during her 
absence; but very soon she secured the services of 
a good native preacher for the church at Tsu, and 
an excellent young man was placed at Ueno. 
Yone Mori San was the first convert at this place. 
The story of his conversion is interesting, and is 



54 HANDS AT REST. 

taken from an article written by Mrs. Drennan 
for "The Missonary Record," of April, 1891: 

' ' Some of you heard me while in the United 
States tell how this young man and a companion 
agreed to examine the different religions until they 
found one to satisfy the longing of their hearts, 
and how he came into my English class soon after 
my arrival at Ueno, and studied the Bible until 
he was finally baptized in January, 1891. From, 
that time he has been a faithful worker in the 
church. He has taught in the same school twelve 
years, and is one of their best and most popular 
teachers. 

"He felt that he ought to be a lay evangelist 
among his people. But he was the adopted son 
of an old lady who had been very good to him. 
She was too old to be left alone, and was not 
willing to stay with some hired person ; so he waited 
for the Lord to open the way for him. Last year 
the old lady asked him to marry. He said she 
might pick him a suitable wife, and the only re- 
quest he made was that the girl should become a 
Christian. Now he is happily married, and the 
old lady is devoted to her new daughter, who is 
preparing for admission into the church, her hus- 
band having taught her Christianity. 

"During my stay in Ueno this young man came 
to me and told me this story at some length, 
saying that now there was nothing in his way, 
and he would put on his sandals and go from vil- 
lage to village teaching his 'countrymen. I asked 
him if he was willing to take up such work, spend- 
ing not more than one day in seven at home. I 
laid the duties and difficulties of such a calling 



HANDS AT REST. 55 

before him, and told him to think it over until 
the next day. In the meantime it was made plain 
to my own heart that his call was from the Lord. 
The next day he came to me, humble, calm and 
composed, and told me of the joy that filled his 
heart, and of his settled purpose to give his life 
to this work. 

"In the absence of any regularly constituted 
authority, we held a sort of consecration meeting 
around our little brazier of coals. Yone San and 
I bowed our heads to the floor along with him, and 
each of us pleaded that the Holy Spirit might lead 
and guide him in his work. 

"This young man is succeeding well at Ueno, 
but needs help and advice, so I still give half my 
time to that church." 

As soon as Mrs. Drennan was partially relieved 
of the care of these two churches she went to Shi- 
roko, a town of nine or ten thousand inhabitants, 
twelve miles away, where no Christian work had 
ever been done, and where no foreign woman had 
ever been seen. There she rented a chapel, fitted 
it up, and left a young man in charge of the work. 
She also speaks of a mission point in the city of 
Tsu, and a reading room for young men that was 
kept open every afternoon and night, and children's 
meetings one night in the week. Every moment 
seemed full of work, yet, with the assistance of 
Mrs. Lyon, the Bible Training School was opened, 
Mrs. Drennan spending three hours each day teach- 
ing a Bible lesson, which was repeated many times 
by the Bible women as they went from house to 
house. Their method of work is shown in the fol- 
lowing extract; 



56 HANDS AT REST. 

' ' These Bible women will go into any house Avhere 
they are allowed an entrance, and ask to be per- 
mitted to read a little from the book they have 
brought with them. They seat themselves and 
open their Bibles while the women of the house 
gather around, with curiosity, rather than interest. 
As the Bible woman reads some passages from the 
life of Christ, and explains who this person is of 
whom they are reading, curiosity often changes to 
eager interest, and when she rises to go she will 
have secured one or more pupils from among her 
audience. The new pupils' names are entered upon 
our lists, and the Bible woman or her assistant 
goes every day, or as frequently as the number of 
her pupils will permit, to teach them to read. This 
means not merely to read the first book, for from 
the beginning the women understand that they are 
to learn verses from the Scriptures, and when they 
can read sufficiently well are to read from the 
Bible itself. Every visit gives the Bible woman 
an opportunity to speak of Christ, and not only 
the women who are studying, but many others 
from the street and neighboring houses, gather to 
hear her read and explain the Scriptures. The 
women under their care vary greatly in their capac- 
ity for study. Some will learn rapidly, memorizing 
verses and hymns with apparent ease. Some will 
spend months in learning one verse, and seem 
utterly unable to grasp the meaning of what they 
hear. The work is often laborious, but the Bible 
women are working in nearly all cases with earnest- 
ness, and some are carrying enthusiasm into all 
they do. Add to the work here described regular 
weekly visits of instruction and encouragement to 



HATCDS AT REST. 57 

the Christian women, and weekly meetings with 
them for Bible study and prayer, visits to the sick 
and enquiring, and you will see what is the work 
of a busy and consecrated Bible woman. 

"Great care is exercised by Mrs. Drennan in the 
selection of pupils for workers; many of them are 
unable to furnish the clothing and books they need. 
Rents fall due regularly, and books and room fur- 
nishings are needed, all of which require money. 
Mrs. Drennan has never asked the Board for as- 
sistance in meeting the expenses, and when there 
is a deficit in the fund she supplies from her own 
salary whatever is lacking." (The Missionary Rec- 
ord, 1895.) 



HANDS AT REST. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE WORK AT SHIROKO. — THE OLD WOMEN'S CEASS. 

The work at Shiroko .met with much opposition 
from the priests, who became jealous of these 
"Kristans," and influenced the people to refuse 
to rent them a preaching place. The young pastor 
sent a letter to Mrs. Drennan, informing her of 
the trouble. She was then at Ueno, fifty miles 
away. She immediately returned to Tsu, and 
started, with her helper and three other girls, to 
go the additional ten miles in jinrikishas. They 
took with them a baby organ. The six jinrikishas 
required for this party made quite a procession, 
and attracted a good deal of attention in the city, 
and when they reached the preaching place where 
they were to hold the service the last time, a great 
crowd had gathered, filling the house and yard, 
even extending far out into the street. Here they 
quietly stood through two sermons, with the at- 
tending songs and prayers. Our missionary and 
her helpers all felt that they were doing their last 
work at that place, and must do it well. They 
were not left long in doubt as to good results from 
this meeting. Very early next morning a man 
called to offer them a preaching place in another 



HANDS AT REST. 59 

part of the city. Thus their faithfulness was re- 
warded, and they thanked God and took courage. 

After re-establishing their young pastor over his 
charge, Mrs. Drennan returned the same day to 
Tsu, in time for her regular work that day. Her 
work at Tsu consisted of women's meetings ; weekly 
meetings at home for those who would not attend 
church; Sabbath schools, morning and afternoon; 
morning and night preaching on Sabbath; Christian 
Endeavor Society, and Bible women's class each 
day. 

At this time (September, 1896) she writes: "Our 
church members are all doing what they can, an 
earnest, praying band, all so busy that when one 
is brought in it is difficult to tell through whose 
instrumentality, as all have given a helping hand. 
We are praying, hoping, and waiting for the out- 
pouring of the Holy Spirit upon this whole province. 
There have been three additions to the church 
recently, and there are now ten applicants." 

If it could be said of our home churches that 
all are doing what they can, they, too, might con- 
fidently expect an outpouring of the Spirit. 

One of the most interesting societies, barely 
mentioned heretofore, was the old women's class, 
where none under fifty years old are admitted. 
They met with Mrs. Drennan once each week for 
Bible study and prayer. Sometimes they turned 
it into an experience meeting, and those who were 
already Christians tried to tell others of their joy, 
and to lead them to Christ. One very old woman, 
who was dependent upon her grandson for support, 
was forbidden by him to attend these meetings, 
but she longed to hear more of the good news and 



60 HANDS AT REST. 

ventured again to meet with them. One after an- 
other gave her instruction, and told her of a joy 
and hope to which she was a stranger. In a plain- 
tive manner she said it seemed too great a blessing 
for her to presume to enjoy. When her grandson's 
anger cooled, she said, she would come again. Her 
old, eager face can be seen in the picture of the old 
women's class. 

An old man, ninety years old, came to Mrs. 
Drennan one day and said, "I am growing old; 
most of my friends are gone, my time is short [he 
was measuring a very small part of the first finger 
to illustrate]. I look beyond this short space, and 
it seems fearfully dark. I called up my priest, 
but he could give me no light. I have come to 
ask what your religion tells you about what is to 
come after death." These instances of persons 
grown old in darkness, blindly seeking after light, 
afford opportunities outside of regular work for the 
devoted missionary to lift the veil and point to 
the One in whom we live and have our being. To 
Mrs. Drennan it was a constant cause for rejoicing 
that there were so many open doors, and that the 
Lord had given her so much to do for him. 



HANDS AT REST. 6 1 



CHAPTER XIV. 

A UTTLE GIRL RESCUED. 

In the fall of 1 896, one day in her round of work, 
Mrs. Drennan found a family consisting of a mother, 
two sons and three daughters, all very old and 
very poor people. The mother was over ninety 
years old, and the youngest member of the family 
was over fifty. One was a confirmed invalid. 
They all lived in a little hut six by nine feet, with- 
out a floor and with but little roof; an old matting 
furnished them seats by day and beds by night, and 
also covering for the sick one. Winter was coming 
on; the rainy season had already begun. Into 
this miserable, comfortless home Mrs. Drennan 
came. All the wretchedness and misery of the 
gloomy picture her quick eye noted as it glanced 
around the hut and rested most pityingly upon 
the one bright spot there — a beautiful little girl, 
not six years old. The child, bright and winning, 
seemed strangely out of place in that mass of de- 
crepit humanity that filled the hut. By skillful 
questioning our missionary learned that these people 
had given the child a home, not from any feeling 
of pity or benevolence toward the little wanderer, 
but with the monstrous design of selling her to a 



62 HANDS AT REST. , 

life of sin, and thus getting gain for themselves. 
With the aid of the chief of police, Mrs. Drennan 
secured the child, whom she adopted. The old 
people were well satisfied that they had found so 
liberal a purchaser, whose bounty placed them in 
a more comfortable position perhaps than they 
had ever before experienced. By inquiry it was 
found that the child's father died when she was an 
infant, leaving nothing to support his wife and 
child, and the young mother, having no relations 
to help her, felt the burden too great, and gave 
her baby to two old people who were childless and 
wished someone to inherit their property, keep up 
the family name, and care for them in their old age. 
After two years they died. Unexpected heirs 
claimed the property and turned the child of three 
years out on the streets. There she existed, often 
hungry and poorly clad, until taken up by these 
people in the hut. The mother had gone to Tokio, 
but no one knew her fate. The little maid did not 
know her name (that is, the Chinese character with 
which the name was written), and was called by her 
preserve Faith because, as she writes, " I have taken 
her in faith that God will help me guide her in the 
right path. She is remarkably bright, and will make 
a useful woman if trained properly." 

In December, 1897, when she had been with 
Mrs. Drennan little more than one year, she was 
able to take part in the Christmas exercises, and 
with other little children sang distinctly many hymns 
in English. Her aptness to learn and her polite 
manners and correct speaking, so easily acquired, 
indicated to those about her that she was of no 
mean origin, and that the little waif was destined 



HANDS AT REST. 63 

to become a great as well as a good woman under 
the tutelage of her adopted mother. Who knows 
but that God in his infinite wisdom and mercy may- 
have preserved this child for the special work of 
saving other girls of her country, many of whom 
are exposed to the same danger from which she 
was rescued? 

In the following letter from Mrs. Drennan the 
great need of rescue work is recognized, and it 
seems that she had already laid plans for this end. 
She says: "I told you that I wanted to add an 
industrial department to our school. I have tried 
it on a small scale. The excessive hard times make 
a school of this kind more desirable, as so many 
poor girls will be driven to lives of shame from 
absolute want of the means of support. I can do 
but little in that way, but I think a school could 
easily be made self-supporting after the first outlay 
for materials to work upon and machinery and 
perhaps an additional rent for a few rooms, all 
costing very little." 

The latest news concerning the child Faith was 
written in May, 1899, and will be read with interest: 

"Faith is studying hard — English and Japanese; 
is counted exceptionally good in Japanese penman- 
ship. I have some little chickens which she dearly 
loves to feed and tend, so is out there now. She 
sews remarkably well for a child of her age and 
can knit her own stockings, putting on the stitches, 
setting the heel and all, which I think right well 
for her. She sweeps the yard about my door 
every morning, and does many other helpful things. 
She was greatly delighted with Miss Fanny's letter, 
and would talk an endless lot of things if I would 



64 HANDS AT REST. 

only suggest to her that I now have time to write a 
letter for her. I will take time for that before long. 
Tell Fanny, meanwhile, I will say she is an untiring 
chatterbox. My ears are often tired, but I am 
trying to guide this into useful channels, and even 
this may be a golden talent to her some day. The 
old people who had her have troubled me a good 
deal with their threats to take her away from me. 
I thought it only meant a demand for money, so 
I paid no attention to it. At last they sent me 
word that I must send her home by a certain day, 
or else I must pay them two hundred dollars. I 
sent them word that they could come and take her 
whenever they pleased, but they would be com- 
pelled to pay me all the expense for keeping and 
clothing her, which would be nearly or over one 
hundred dollars. They must bring the money with 
them, and then they could take her. This was a 
new turn in affairs unlooked for, so I heard no more 
from them for some time. Last week they sent 
me word that they would no more ask me to send 
her back to them; they would let me keep her, 
but they asked me to send her out to see them 
on the 20th of this month, as that is the anniver- 
sary of the death of her adopted father. I do not 
know whether they will try to keep her by stealth 
or not. She cries every time we speak of sending 
her out, and it will be difficult for them to keep 
her, I know. My faith is in God, and I trust all 
in his hands." 



HANDS AT REST. 65 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE WORK AS CARRIED ON AT PRESENT. 

There are five Sunday schools in and near Tsu. 
These were taught by the women of the Bible 
Training School, but they were all superintended 
by Mrs. Drennan, who at Christmas time arranged 
suitable exercises for each school, and drilled the 
children, without giving up any regular work hour 
for the practice. These occasions she emphasized 
for the sake of the children, who, until she came 
to them, had never heard the story of the Christ- 
child, had never had a Christmas; and also to im- 
press Christianity upon the many grown people 
who would come to no other but children's meetings. 

The Sunday school work met with constant op- 
position, not only from the priests, but from the 
public school teachers, who forbade their pupils 
to attend on penalty of dismissal from the gov- 
ernment school. By this the attendance was so 
reduced that in 1897 the five schools averaged only 
163 pupils. Mrs. Drennan's annual report of this 
year tells of four graduates from the girls' school, 
three of whom by an impressive ceremony were 
set apart to the work of Bible women. 

The work at Shiroko and Ueno, towns four miles 
apart and ten miles from Tsu, was kept up partly 
by these women. They walked ten miles to Shi- 



66 HANDS AT REST. 

roko Friday, helped that work until after morning 
Sunday school, then came on to Ueno, where they 
held an afternoon Sunday school, after which they 
returned to Tsu, where they attended evening ser- 
vice. There was a native preacher for these towns 
who also preached at Kambe. Many other villages 
have been visited and tracts distributed in Ise as 
well as in Iga, where the Bible women, with Mrs. 
Drennan, introduced house to house visiting and 
teaching. She wrote: "Our people are making an 
effort to become self-sustaining; they pay the in- 
cidental expenses, presbyterial and synodic dues, 
and also something on pastor's salary. The church 
at Ueno, Iga, pays for the rent of a preaching place 
in a village near by; thus in a small way they are 
doing mission work. 

"In addition to the old woman's meeting we have 
monthly meetings at four places for women, be- 
sides two work meetings each month to make 
money for church work. All of this work must be 
guided as God gives strength and wisdom. During 
the year we have distributed twelve thousand 
tracts. I with my helper visited nearly every 
jinrikisha stand in Tsu. We talked with the men, 
and gave them tracts written expressly for jinriki- 
sha men. The two who went with us became 
deeply interested, and have since been attentive 
Bible students. Mr. Banno gave magic lantern 
lectures to the jinrikisha men. We expect 
soon to begin special work with the policemen. I 
teach English one hour each afternoon, and a Bible 
lesson for men every Wednesday evening. 

"Our annual woman's meeting was held in Tsu 
in April. There were delegates from almost every 



HANDS AT REST. 67 

place in this Ken. Our subject for discussion was, 
' Christ and his love for us, and how we may become 
more like him in our daily lives.' One old woman, 
sixty-seven years old, walked ten miles to attend 
this meeting. The earnest prayer and humble con- 
fessions of those present attest their sincere desire 
to do something for the Master, not only as a duty, 
but as a privilege." 

In addition to the evangelistic and educational 
work mentioned in this lengthy report, Mrs. Dren- 
nan prepared reports to be sent to the mission, the 
Board, the council, and to presbytery; also to so- 
cieties in the home land, and to individuals helping 
to support girls or in any other way assisting the 
work. 

To attempt to enumerate the many sides to this 
work is useless, and it seems impossible for one 
woman to accomplish so much. 

The following from her report to the Board of 
Missions in 1895 tells something of its extent: 
"To sum up, I attend and superintend twelve 
weekly, five monthly, two semi-monthly — in all 
nineteen meetings each month, with the prospect 
shortly of opening work in two other towns, this 
in addition to Bible Training School, home duties, 
and general oversight of all the woman's work." 



68 HANDS AT REST 



CHAPTER XVI. 

HOW SUPPORTED. NEW WORK. 

It is due to Rev. E. E. Morris and the church in 
Marshall, Mo., to state in this history that this con- 
gregation, with the consent of the Board of Missions, 
undertook the support of Mrs. Drennan after her 
return to Japan, with the understanding that all 
the money contributed by the Woman's Auxiliary 
and Junior Christian Endeavor Societies should be 
sent through the Woman's Board, and that the con- 
tributions by congregations, Senior Endeavorers 
and Sunday schools should be sent through the As- 
sembly's Board. The pastor's idea was to increase 
the offering from his people by placing before them 
as a special object the support of one well known 
and much beloved of them. While their offerings 
at first fell far below the amount desired, it grad- 
ually increased, and showed to what extent a people 
may be educated in the matter of giving. First 
year, S465.28 ('95); second year, S5 15.30 C96); 
third year, S592.10 ('97). 

Mr. Morris states that they had never quite 
reached the mark of S600, but hoped to do so in 
the year 1898, the date of the letter from which 
these items have been taken. 



HANDS AT RE)ST. 69 

Mrs. Drennan, feeing as those in the home land 
cannot see, the importance of continuing work 
once started in Japan, in order to keep the work 
and workers going, was compelled to use most of 
the little store laid up for old age or for a time when 
she could not work. When an urgent need came 
she would send to America and draw from the de- 
posit there until at last she wrote a friend : "It 
will soon be all gone; then when I am disabled 
you friends will have to take care of me." 

In the annual report of 1898, she writes to the 
Woman's Board as follows - "Our work is enlarg- 
ing. I must employ another preacher to fill a 
broad opening now stretching out before us on the 
railroad as we go to Ueno. We have no money 
in the treasury, but it must be done in his name 
and for his sake. Trusting in him I will do it, 
though I know not where one dollar of the money 
will come from. The Boards have so much re- 
stricted our amounts that I must go beyond allow- 
ance or restrict the work. This I cannot do; would 
rather be called home than contract my work. 
How can I be still and see these people going with 
rapid strides to eternity?" 

In the year 1898 the Woman's Christian Tem- 
perance Union work was introduced, and a society 
organized with twenty members. These meetings 
were held on Friday of each week in the schoolroom. 

Perhaps the most important new work started 
this year was the tent work. Mrs. Drennan had 
for some time greatly desired to try this in order 
to reach the multitude who could not be induced 
to come to church; It was at length made possible 
by gifts sent her from friends in the United States 



70 HANDS AT REST. 

to be used for her personal comfort. She wrote 
back that she had all she needed, that a vacation 
was unnecessary, and that her heart was sent on the 
tent meetings. In September this work was begun, 
with Mr. Banno preaching and distributing tracts 
to large audiences in Ueno. The experiment was 
altogether satisfactory. She writes, "My heart 
bounds at the thought of such work in this hard 
field. I may have trouble and opposition by Bud- 
dhist priests; every aggressive movement calls for 
new evidences of ill will; our church is sometimes 
stoned, girls reviled, and stones and insulting words 
cast as any of us go out. When the police is noti- 
fied this is stopped for awhile, but any enlarge- 
ment of our work provokes new opposition, so we 
expect trouble when we open our tent here [Tsu]. 
However, we will do it in the name of the Lord, 
and in his name try to teach the multitudes who 
we are sure will come through curiosity. May God, 
by his Holy Spirit, teach many who hear." 

In trying to comprehend this wonderful woman it 
is difficult to decide what phase of the work she re- 
garded the most prominent. She seems first to have 
made a specialty of helping young men and women 
who would soon wield an influence over their 
countrymen; again her energies seem to have been 
directed to the highest officials, and many promi- 
nent men through her efforts were brought to em- 
brace Christianity. Then she was found diligently 
teaching old women, and her deepest sympathy 
seemed given here. Again, the Bible women, the 
jinrikisha men, the little children, all shared alike, 
it would seem, in her great heart and mind. 

Then when she is thought of as a busy housewife, 



HANDS AT REST. 7 1 

the keeper of a boarding school, the adopted 
mother of two girls, and withal an evangelist with 
a circuit embracing many miles, wonder is almost 
lost in incredulity. The little garden spot near 
her door testified to her unremittent care, and 
shows that she cherished a love for the beautiful 
in nature. From her own vines the sweet wine 
was made for communion. She was so careful of 
her people that not one drop of fermented wine 
would she permit to be used at the Lord's Supper. 
Her consecration did not exempt her from trying 
ordeals. Indeed, many great sorrows came to this 
devoted servant of the Lord. Her only brother 
died; surely the dear Lord who wept with Martha 
and Mary sorrowed no less with that sister in her 
lonely grief when she received the sad news of the 
death of this loved one, the last of her family. 



7'J. HANDS AT REST. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

INTERESTING LETTER. TRIP INTO SHIMA. 

A letter from her written to a friend soon after 
the news of this event evinces the fact that earn- 
estness in Christian work does not weaken the ties 
of kinship, and that the missionary no less than 
others feels the loss of relatives, and needs the 
sympathy of friends. 

"Tsu, Ise, Japan. 

"My Dear Friend: To-night in looking over a 
package of unanswered letters I am surprised to 
find one from you. Frequent changes caused by 
my trips to Ueno and other points prevent my 
answering letters as I should. 

"Last year was a hard, hard year with me, but 
God has been very good to me, and I think I will 
not have so many difficulties again. I am assured 
that the way will be opened to me to do all that 
God wants me to do here. My only anxiety is to 
know and try to do it in his way. Pray that I 
may have God-given wisdom to guide me in the 
way in which I shall try to work, as well as in the 
work which I should do. I feel so unworthy to 
be allowed to work here for him, and then, too, 
to know that I do so little and that little so poorly. 
So much time wasted, so many opportunities un- 



HANDS AT RKST. 73 

improved! Not long until I will have to stand 
before our Master to render an account, and I fear 
with only empty hands. The only consoling 
thought in it is that he is not only my Master, 
but my Father, Friend. Oh, such a Friend! 

"So sad have I been made recently by the death 
of my dear brother! It was a great shock to me. 
Only a little while ago he wrote me a long letter, 
and seemed well and in good spirits. The next 
news was a notice of his death. He was anxious 
for me to come home, to see me comfortably sit- 
uated once more. He never felt it possible that I 
could be comfortable here. It was hard to feel 
that I should not see him again, and that now I 
have no brother. One tie less! Oh! such a strong 
tie broken! 

"In October I felt so weary and worn, having 
been at work all vacation, that I decided to make 
a little trip out into the mountains of Shima in the 
country south of us, where no Christian work has 
been done. Mrs. Lyon was at home from her va- 
cation and I could leave the school and all in her 
hands. We went about twenty- five miles on the 
cars, and then took jinrikishas and went over 
rough mountain roads, in many places so steep that 
I had to walk. It was beautiful scenery and fresh 
air. Monkeys were playing in the trees over our 
heads, and wild boars and wolves were seen in the 
valleys. About noon we stopped at a little house 
by the way and drank tea and ate a dinner of 
rice and vegetables a-la-Japanese. After a rest we 
started again on our way. 'We' means O Yone 
San, myself, and our guide, who is a merchant 
and a member of our church. He makes regular 
4 



74 HANDS AT REST. 

monthly trips in this part of the country to 
sell his goods. By night we reached a little town. 
To say that I was a curiosity to that people 
gives you an inadequate idea. They had never 
seen a foreigner, and a foreign woman was a won- 
der of wonders. In five minutes our hotel was 
surrounded by a curious rabble of men, women, 
and children of all ages. I was upstairs, but they 
crowded as near as possible and peeped through 
the cracks. I was so tired and hungry that I ate 
with a relish 'what was set before me,' and by the 
time it was dark I gladly laid me down on my 
little pallet, and was soon soundly sleeping on my 
pillow of buckwheat husks. Meanwhile my pass- 
port, showing that I was a missionary, had been sent 
to the police station. Curiosity was greater then 
than ever. A company of the town officials came 
to our hotel to see if I would talk to them about 
our religion. Our guide told them that I was 
very tired, and that he did not like to call me. 
But he gave them some tracts and talked to them 
for an hour or more. They went away and told 
what they had heard. Our guide went to bed 
feeling that he had done what he could. About 
ten o'clock another deputation came. They called 
him out of bed and begged him to awaken me. 
But he persisted in telling them that I was not 
well and too tired to be disturbed. There were 
over thirty men, the best of the town, present. 
He talked with them till near midnight, gave them 
some tracts and some copies of John's Gospel. 
The next morning, when we were ready to go on 
our journey, vast numbers filled the streets and 
stood about the door. I gave tracts to all, and 



HANDS AT REST. 75 

apologized for being so stupid the night before as 
not to know they were in the house. This satis- 
fied them, as they had heard the wonder speak. 
Many followed us to the outer limit of the town. 
"I bowed to the right and left as I passed along, 
as politely as circumstances would permit. One 
poor old woman came running along across a small 
lot, stumbling over rocks and sheaves of rice that 
had just been pulled and laid out to dry, until 
she came near falling several times, so great was 
her haste and anxiety. Just after her last stumble 
there was a sudden turn in the road that brought 
me right close up to her before she was aware of it. 
Her startled look, as she stumbled back as rapidly 
as she had before come forward, was indeed amus- 
ing. I stopped and bowed to her most politely, 
and smiled as graciously as I could, then said good- 
bye and started on. She seemed full of surprise 
and delight to think I had so kindly noticed her 
when so many were there. She followed close 
along after me, down to the wharf, and was almost 
by my side when I stepped into the little boat. 
I bowed a kind good-bye again and again to all 
on the land as we started out from the wharf. 
When out a few yards we passed the school near by, 
with all the pupils drawn up in line along the shore 
to bid us a respectful adieu. A little farther on 
I took out my handkerchief to wave them my 
farewell, O Yone San joining with me. As we 
waved we bowed our heads to them and to the 
school. They all threw up their hands and shouted 
their good-bye most cordially. O Yone San said 
the old woman threw up both hands as high as she 
could and shouted loudly, -as though she were 



76 HANDS AT REST. 

trying to do some great honor to some one. They 
had never before seen a foreign style of parting 
and salutation, and it was pleasing to them. 

"As we passed out into the open sea we were 
near where the pearl divers were gathering oysters 
from the bottom of the sea. I was anxious to see 
them at their work, so we passed out some miles 
farther, and joined ourselves to a party of ten 
women divers, who were just starting to their 
work, five or even ten women in a boat, managing 
it as skillfully as men. Each woman had as her 
diving outfit a washtub, a knife, and a pair of 
goggles for her eyes. When out where they wished 
to work, they anchored their small boat, took off 
their clothing, except a short shirt and about one 
yard of white cotton cloth, which when fastened 
about their waists reached to their knees. The 
ropes to their tubs were fastened to their waists, 
the knife was stuck into the waistband that held 
the cloth about the waist. Then they washed 
their goggles in the seawater, fastened them on, 
and put their tubs out in the water, and were 
ready for their descent into the deep. Some of 
them climbed down the side of the boat, others 
leaped out fearlessly. After swimming a short 
distance they stopped and seemed to stand straight 
up in the water, then plunged head foremost down 
to the bottom. Walking along the bottom, they 
gathered their scanty dress skirt or apron full of 
oysters, returning to the surface every two or 
three minutes to put their shells into the tubs, 
which they pulled to them by the attached rope. 
Again and again they repeated this, then out to 
their boats and off to the shore, where in a sheltered 



HANDS AT REST. 77 

nook they had left their food, clothing and children. 
There they hurriedly built a brush fire, making a 
bright blaze, around which they gathered and 
warmed themselves, and proceeded to examine 
their tubs. I bought twenty sen worth — equal to 
your ten cents — of their oysters, and a few pretty 
scalloped shells, with the mollusks in them. I took 
them to our stopping place for the night and had 
them cooked for my supper, just for the novelty 
of eating pearl oysters that I had seen taken from 
the deep sea. We looked carefully to see if per- 
chance I had purchased a pearl also, but no such 
good luck had happened. The scallop opens its 
shell like a great hinged door, and you can see the 
beautiful red mollusk, but as soon as you touch it, 
even with your breath, it suddenly closes, and woe 
to the luckless finger that is in its reach! These 
shells are shaped like a boat on the bottom, or a 
deep shell. The top, though flat, is corrugated. 
When it swims it sets this to open in the water 
and swims by moving it back and forward, using 
it like a sail on a boat. 

"By night we reached the town where we were 
to stop. It was situated on a high promontory 
jutting out into the sea, on the great wide sea 
whose farthest side washes the shore of my own 
loved land. I fancied the air* was almost fragrant 
with loving messages. 

"Our hotel was set high upon a rock out of 
reach of tidal waves. Soon after we had deposited 
our baggage and settled ourselves comfortably 
around the brazier of warm coals, a caller was an- 
nounced. Then call succeeded call until late bed- 
time. All our talk was of Christianity, of which 



78 HANDS AT REST. 

they had never heard before. We expected to go 
farther around the coast next day and out to some 
islands, but it rained and a storm threatened. As 
soon as it was made known that we would remain, 
the officers of the town sent to inquire if I would 
talk to them. In our hotel was a hall for the town 
meetings. There they assembled until it was full, 
over fifty of the best men of the town being present. 
God helped me, and I told them of the great God 
and the religion we teach. For two hours they 
listened with breathless attention, and still wanted 
to hear more. I gave out every tract, copy of the 
gospels, Sunday school card, and paper that I had. 
I even gave O Yone San's Bible to the hotel keeper, 
who had already read the copy of John's Gospel 
given him on the evening before. He had so many 
questions to ask and seemed so eager to hear, as 
indeed all did. The next morning we left for home, 
having been out only five nights. But on account 
of the meeting at Ueno I was compelled to return. 

"I have described to you our reception at two 
places. Others were similar. One place where 
they heard pi our coming, the roadside was lined 
with people for nearly a mile. Such eagerness to 
hear the gospel I have not seen before. They 
begged me to come again or send a preacher. 
They will furnish a "preaching place free of cost. 
I will send our pastor next week. 

"I had a hard trip home but it did me good. 
Change of scene and air, with outdoor exercise 
were all good for me. May God bless you with 
health and happiness. 

"Lovingly, 

" March i, 1899. A. M. DrEnnan." 



HANDS AT REST. 79 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

JAPANESE CHRISTIANS AT WORK. 

In May, 1899, Mrs. Drennan writes in an inter- 
esting way of her life. No other language can give 
as true an idea of her wonderful ability to utilize 
and combine all the forces attainable, and to make 
everything subservient to her work, one charac- 
teristic of which was to teach the people to help 
themselves, each one doing his part. In this in- 
stance, as in many others, she furnished them an 
example by doing the humblest services herself. 
Many who claim to be Christ's followers in this 
land might learn a lesson from the following story 
of one night's work by the members of a little 
church in Japan: 

"To-night while I write to you, my house is 
filled with our people at work — men, women, and 
children — all busy. Some groups are cutting up 
old fish nets into threads for weaving into a pretty 
cloth for cloaks, or even winter dresses. I will put 
a thread of the net they are working on to-night 
into this letter. This is of linen. The last piece 
we made was of nets made of silk threads, so very 
fine and nice. We made the warp all of black and 
the fillings also, except the alternate thread of silk 



80 HANDS AT REST. 

fish net, which was a beautiful seal brown. These 
nets are made to catch a particular kind of fish 
that is found in our streams. It is a very fine fish, 
small, almost destitute of bones. The catching 
of these is a favorite pastime with old gentlemen 
who have given all business into the hands of 
their sons, while they live at ease so far as neces- 
sary work or business is concerned. You would 
enjoy seeing the groups thickly set all over the 
room; some cutting up the nets, some tying the 
threads together, some winding it on little reels, 
while other groups are making new fish nets for 
sale. This is the work for to-night. Men, preach- 
ers, lawyers, railroad men, and other officers in the 
government work of the city, are busy making 
fish nets. Sometimes we make paper into thread, 
sometimes sewing, knitting, etc., all to make a few 
pennies to help in our own work, and also to pro- 
mote sociability among our members. I wrote 
little by little until a mother came in with her 
three-months-old baby. This fell to my hands, 
while the mother joined the workers. I usually 
work, but if I do not get this off to-night or early 
to-morrow it will not go in the next mail, so I 
will pay my penny and do my own work to-night. 

"Baby, tiny, tiny little thing, now sleeps in my 
lap while I write these lines. All this taken to- 
gether makes it doubtful whether you get a very 
readable letter this time, as of course there is much 
talk as well as work going on. In this talk I like 
to take part, so I must put in a word now and then." 

The following letters from two members of the 
old woman's class relative to their last annual 
woman's meeting, and addressed to their sisters 



HANDS AT RKST. 8 1 

in America, will be read with interest. The writers 
of these letters are aged respectively fifty-six and 
eighty-two. 

"Tsu, Ise, Japan. 

" Dear Sisters in Christ: I am very glad to know 
that you are well and at the fountain of blessing. 
"Every year about this time we have our wo- 
man's annual meeting. This year's meeting was 
the best we have had. Everybody was earnest, 
and their earnest prayers and talks impressed us 
deeply. I am a very weak Christian, but I re- 
ceived his great blessing. To the depth of my heart 
I was greatly moved, and my powerless soul and 
body are overflowing with joy. This is all by the 
blessing of God, and the deep love of Mrs. Drennan. 
Also we owe a debt of gratitude to our sisters in 
America who have prayed earnestly for us. 
Our thanks to you, for your kindness to us, reach 
to mountains' height. Our thanks cannot be ex- 
pressed with pen and paper. Forgetful of my un- 
worthiness, I write with my unskilled pen to thank 
you. 

"Your sister in Christ, 

"Mrs. S. Tanida." 

Tsu, IsE, Japan. 

" Dear Sisters in Christ: I am very glad to tell 
you about our woman's annual meeting. It was 
held on the 15th, 16th and 17th of this month. 
The subject of this meeting was Gal. xxii. 23. 
On the first day I was appointed to lead the meet- 
ing, I talked a little about love and joy. I also 



82 HANDS AT RKST. 

read Col. i : 4-24. After that several members of 
the old woman's society prayed and talked. We 
were filled with his Spirit, and it was an interest- 
ing and beautiful meeting. That night we had 
a meeting. On the 16th the Bible women and the 
pupils of the Bible Training School read essays 
and passages of Scripture on this subject, and it 
was very interesting. Miss Yone Hara led the 
meeting, and she quoted the several important 
passages in the Bible on the subject and talked. 
I was impressed by it. After that several prayers 
and talks, and our hearts were filled with his bless- 
ings, and I could not help weeping for joy. Few 
years past we had no such meeting. We owe this 
grand meeting to our dear sisters in America. 
You have united your hearts and prayed for us 
during our three days' meeting, and we deeply 
thank you for it. Also God has seen the earnest- 
ness of Mrs. Drennan, and gave us this good meet- 
ing. For this we are thankful. After the three 
days' meeting was over, I returned home, but my 
heart was so full of his blessing that I even forgot 
to rest my weary body. I am as frail as the dis- 
solving dewdrops, but God in his mercy has called 
me to be his servant. When I think of it I am 
so grateful that I want to do something which is 
pleasing to him. This time we had a very un- 
usual holy meeting. We are all rejoicing and 
thanking God for it. I write this letter to thank 
you for your kindness. I hope our work will 
prosper this year. 

Your sister in Christ, 

"Mrs. K. Nakamura." 



HANDS AT REST. 83 

Although so closely identified with the Japanese, 
Mrs. Drennan was intensely loyal to her own 
people and native land. During the war with 
Spain her sympathies were strong for "our own 
dear boys," as she affectionately speaks of our 
soldiers, and in February, 1899, she wrote: "If I 
were younger I would go and help take care of 
the sick and wounded." To some of these she 
sent letters that no doubt carried cheer and com- 
fort to all who read them. 



84 HANDS AT REST. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

PROGRESS. 

There were many new features introduced in 
the Bible Training School in 1899, such as cere- 
monial tea making, flower arranging, and etiquette. 
It is said that the floral professor was one of the 
most popular teachers in the mission schools in 
Japan. Even flower stalks and leafless twigs were 
closely studied with reference to color and har- 
mony, and arranged in attractive designs. Mrs. 
Drennan, seeing the importance that was attached 
to these things, regarded them as necessary accom- 
plishments to the Bible women, who would seek 
admittance to all classes of homes, that they might 
be prepared to lead, without offending by their 
lack of culture. Her work continued in Tsu, Ise, 
and Ueno, Iga; also in Shiroko. 

The church at Tsu during the year 1899 received 
thirty additions. There were three other Sunday 
schools under her care in this city, all well attended. 
She used the International Lesson Series, and had 
written examinations. There were ten pupils who 
received perfect marks at the first quarterly ex- 
amination. She wrote that they were trying to 
reach the standard of excellence recommended by 



HANDS AT REST. 



85 



the General Assembly, thus keeping abreast with 
the times far better than many Sunday schools in 
the home land. The church at Tsu at this time 
paid all expenses, except the pastor's salary, and 
had left over in the treasury a little over twenty- 
six yen. Besides this, there were six other preach- 




BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS. 



ing places and one other school in this province 
superintended by herself. 

She held four meetings for young women and 
two for the old women per month. Of the latter 
she wrote: "They are always attended by an en- 
thusiastic, increasing number — the happiest circle 



86 HANDS AT REST. 

it was ever my privilege to know." They are now 
very much interested in making articles that, when 
sold, add to the store of money they are collecting 
to buy a Christian burial ground." The necessity 
for this was emphasized by the treatment of the 
dead body of the child of a Christian lawyer. The 
priests refused to let the child be buried on their 
grounds, and for nearly two days the father was 
going from place to place trying to find a spot of 
earth in which to bury his child. In the evening 
of the second day the Roman Catholics consented 
for him to place the ljttle body temporarily in the 
heretic portion of their ground. With this case 
before her Mrs. Drennan had a petition, with the 
names of all the Christians attached, presented to the 
governor by the pastor of Tsu church, Mr. Banno, 
asking that he would allow them a place to bury 
their dead. The priests did all they could to keep 
the Christians from securing a burying ground, 
by influencing their people to refuse to sell or 
permit the Christians to get possession of ground 
near them. In this way Mrs. Drennan was dis- 
appointed several times, after she thought a place 
had been secured. But the old ladies worked on 
faithfully, sure of success at last. Mrs. Drennan 
wrote, "This one thing I pray to see settled," and 
in her last annual report to the Board she says: 
"All are rejoicing in the possession of a Christian 
burying ground, purchased principally by the pro- 
ceeds of the work of the women's societies. They 
yet have quite a neat sum, which will be turned 
into the church treasury. Thus each society is 
aiding in the effort to grow into a self-supporting 
church." This report also tells of three normal 



HANDS AT REST. 87 

students, members of her Bible class, who had 
professed Christianity during the summer. 

The church at Ueno also was reported as having 
made progress, due chiefly to the earnest efforts 
of the Bible woman there, who was supported by 
the "Joy Bells," of Lebanon, Tenn. A singular 
fatality seems to have attended the church at 
Ueno. Of the first converts there four young men 
became preachers. They felt it to be a duty to 
help Mrs. Drennan give a knowledge of the gospel 
to their own province. They began work by walk- 
ing, two and two, from village to village over that 
whole province, scattering tracts and Bibles, preach- 
ing and talking to the people when they could get 
permission to do so. Thus over this province of 
more than 120,000 people the seeds of truth were 
sown. In a few months one of these young men 
took cold, which settled into consumption, and in 
less than a year he died. Very soon another one of 
them was taken in a similar manner. Thus, one 
by one the first fruits of the work at this place 
were gathered into the garner above. The great 
number of deaths by consumption gave credence 
among the ignorant and superstitious, to the false 
idea circulated by the priests, that these people 
had died because their gods were angry, and that 
all who accepted Christianity would die of that 
dread disease. There was so much seeming truth 
in the charge that great persecution came on the 
little band. Weak Christians were staggered, and 
others, not yet reached, were afraid to show Chris- 
tians any kindness or listen to their teachings. 
Later, when they had begun to grow hopeful again, 
the failure of a railroad company removed in less 



88 HANDS AT REST. 

than ten days nine families from the church. But, 
notwithstanding these discouragements, the Lord 
has kept for himself a people there. A comfortable 
church house was built, and there were four other 
preaching places. 

One of the last acts of Mrs. Drennan before she 
left Japan, was to stop with these devoted people 
to encourage them in their work; also to pay for 
repairs on the church and for building a new fence, 
gate, etc. In addition to her many other charac- 
teristics which eminently fitted her for a success- 
ful missionary, she was intensely practical. So this 
incident shows. She observed, and so far as pos- 
sible, administered to the needs of her people, 
physically and financially as well as spiritually. 

The mission as Shiroko, although frequently dis- 
couraged, gradually gained ground. This place 
was once noted for persecutions, but at this time 
Christianity had grown in popularity to such a de- 
gree that the best people desired preaching, and an 
invitation was given to hold service in a house that 
had once been refused. The young preacher, Ohiro 
San, whom Mrs. Drennan had placed there, was a 
splendid worker, and a noble young man, but un- 
fortunately was unmarried. He could not do the 
work alone, and after suffering some disappoint- 
ments matrimonially, he wished to go away, and 
Mrs. Drennan consented, thinking to get a married 
man for the place. The work was kept up, not- 
withstanding this removal. There were five Chris- 
tians resulting from labor done there, and a pros- 
pect of many more. This city is in the center of 
several other towns, which can be reached from 
there. 



HANDS AT REST. 89 



CHAPTER XX. 

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WOMEN OF MIYE 
PROVINCE. 

The annual woman's meeting of 1899 was of 
such unusual interest, and showed such marked 
development in the Christian life of those who had 
so recently learned to follow Christ that a few words 
from one who was present will be of interest: 

"The subject of our meeting was fruit-bearing 
for Christ. It was very appropriate for we had 
worked last year, and our work ought to have 
brought some fruit for the Master. It was a very 
spiritual meeting. During three days we had 
six meetings. After the last service closed, not 
one moved to leave the house. The women again 
grouped themselves to have another prayer service. 
They said they could not leave that place. They 
wanted to stay and hear more of Christ. It 
was hard to close the meeting. There was a 
glorious display of God's grace and mercy. At 
last they started to their homes, full of joy and 
thanksgiving. For several days they came to 
thank Sensie for the meeting, and to express their 
joy and spiritual blessing. While at the meeting 
I could not but reflect on the miserable condition 



go 



HANDS AT REST. 



of our sisters who have not the gospel, and contrast 
our happy situation with theirs. I pray God to 
help me to be more earnest in the work he has 
committed to my hands. This is an age in our 
country when women can do much to advance 
the Redeemer's kingdom. Pray for us, that we 
may bear much fruit for him. 

' ' Sincerely, 

"Yone Hara." 




SHIP CAPTAIN S FAMILY. 



Present at the woman's meeting was a ship's 
captain, whose experience is given to show how 
great is the influence of the consistent life of the 
missionary, even upon people whom they may not 
meet. He said to the convention: 

"I hope you will allow me to speak to you about 
how I became a Christian, and how the Lord led 
me, step by step, with his unseen hand. I am 



HANDS AT REST. 9 1 

chief engineer in a ship. More than twenty years 
I have been working constantly on the waters, 
so I did not have the opportunity of hearing the 
good news of salvation until I came to Tsu, about 
two years ago. On account of sickness I gave up 
work, and came to live in the city for the first 
time. When I came here, whenever I found op- 
portunity, I enquired about everything in the city. 
Among other things that deeply impressed me was 
an old American lady, a Mrs. Drennan, who lived 
entirely alone in the interior for the evangelization 
of the people. There was much talk about this 
Christian lady, and all admired her good work 
and kindness to the people, but, most of all, they 
wondered about her great courage in living alone 
among strangers and working earnestly, though 
she is so old. I had heard so much about her and 
her work, that I thought I would like to see her, 
and ask her the reason of her strong courage, for 
I was longing to be courageous. So I determined 
to visit her. I hesitated to go alone, and at last 
found a boy willing to lead me to her house. I 
asked her to teach me Christianity. She willingly 
consented. I began to study the Bible. At first 
it was difficult for me to understand, but gradually 
by the help of the Holy Spirit, I found the truth 
as it is in Christ Jesus, and became his follower. 
Since I became a Christian I understand the source 
of her courage. Now I am so happy that I cannot 
but tell of his great love. I would like to tell you 
another thing that has strengthened my faith 
during my last trip on the sea. I returned to the 
ship as a Christian, and determined to live like a 
Christian, and, by the help of God to lead others 



92 HANDS AT REST. 

to Christ. My friends thought I was a hypocrite, 
and were afraid of me. You do not know how 
hard a thing it is to be among seamen who know 
nothing of the true God. When our ship landed 
at the harbor, I was slandered by a friend who 
hated Christianity. When I found out about it I 
was offended. I tried to pray, but could not. I 
felt I could never forgive him. I decided to go to 
his house to argue with him. One afternoon I 
started to see him, but he was absent. I expected 
to return soon, so I went out to the woods near by 
and wandered along, filled with anger. I stayed 
alone in the woods some time. Then the thought 
came to me strangely that I was offended for a 
small thing. My heart was distressed. What am 
I? Am I not a Christian? Oh, what a shame it is 
that I, the child of God, should have such a thought 
toward my friend. The missionaries have left their 
dear ones and come to our country to give their 
lives for the salvation of souls. Their work is noble. 
A few months ago God saved me from the depths 
of sin, and now I so soon forget his blessing and get 
mad. I was truly ashamed and disgusted with my- 
self, and immediately knelt down to pray to him 
for forgiveness of my sin. I rose up. My heart 
was in perfect peace. By the help of God I forgave 
my friend for whom I pray that his wicked heart 
may be changed. I know nothing except the power 
of the Holy Spirit which would give me strength 
to overcome this evil. I thanked God, and my 
faith was greatly strengthened." 



HANDS AT REST. 93 



CHAPTER XXI. 

THE CELEBRATION OF MRS. DRENNAN'S SEVENTIETH 
BIRTHDAY. 

On the 23d of July, 1899, Mrs. Drennan was 
seventy years old. An interesting account of the 
celebration of this event by the native Christians 
is here given in her own language, as written in a 
personal letter to a friend: 

"My seventieth birthday came the twenty-third 
of July, and the girls with our church members 
wished to celebrate it, but I was sick so that the 
pastor and the officers of the church advised them 
to wait, as they then feared they might have a more 
solemn ceremony to perform at that time or soon 
after. So it was deferred until I would be better. 
Soon I began to improve, and as some of my 
former pupils had already come for the occasion 
from their distant homes, we decided to have it 
the third of August. I was able to be up most 
of the day to receive the many who were calling 
from the early morning, and to be with them in 
the celebration from four o'clock to seven. There 
were about seventy-five people here, and each 
brought me some nice present. Some were rare 
and valuable. One of the men of our church came 
and decorated the house and yard, hanging in the 



94 HANDS AT REST. 

yard many lanterns, and decorating the house to 
suit Japanese taste, without any trouble, or thought 
on my part. Refreshments — very light, you would 
have thought — were served, consisting of Japanese 
cakes, ices, etc., which they all thought very nice. 
The first girl I took into Wilmina School as a 
supported pupil, one of the best I ever had under 
my care, came with her two children, over five 
hundred miles to be here. The second one taken 
into the school was also here with her two children 
and husband, Gonshiro Hiramatsu. He was one 
of the three who came to me for English the first 
week after I came to Japan. He was also the first 
convert among my pupils, one of the first baptized, 
and he is now an elder in Osaka church, a success- 
ful business man. From those who could not come, 
letters, messages, and presents were received. In 
counting up the children of those I have educated, 
or partly so, since I came to Japan, I find I have now 
more than twenty-seven grandchildren. I need not 
tell you that I love my children and grandchildren 
here. In our company that day were judges, law- 
yers, school teachers, government officers and busi- 
ness men. Baby Daisy was organist, and Shozo 
San, a very successful business man, now a deacon 
in Osaka church, was here and spoke of his early 
life with me, and how the principles of Christianity 
that he then learned had clung to him, and helped 
him to order his business in the fear of the Lord, and 
had also helped him to lead his entire family, in- 
cluding his old grandmother, over ninety years of 
age, to become Christians. 

"I send you a copy of a poem written by Mr. 
Banno, which was set to music and sung that day. 



HANDS AT REST. 95 

Other poems and papers were read, giving us a 
very delightful evening, and filling my heart with 
gratitude to God for this evidence of the tender 
love of my people. The poem was written by 
Rev. Kaichi Banno, in Japanese language, and was 
translated by J. M. Sugamma, another Japanese, 
who says he cannot make English poetry, hence 
much of the beauty is lost in his translation. 

' ' IN COMMEMORATION OF THE SEVENTIETH BIRTHDAY 
OF OUR BEEOVED TEACHER, MRS. A. M. DRENNAN. 

"Oh! how brave and earnest is she, 
Who came over the ocean wave from far, far away, 
With heart of love, and faith so strong, 
To deliver the message of Jehovah to the people 
in darkness. 

Chorus. — "God bless her with a long, long life; 

God bless our beloved one, may she 
abide in grace forever. 

' ' Toiling to open the way of peace for men, 
Working to lead women to follow the path of faith, 
Teaching young maidens to walk in the straight 

path and prepare for eternal life, 
An angel of God sent from above. 

"As the running streams of springs in the moun- 
tains constantly 
Wash and cleanse the withered leaves from green 

bushes, 
May she be like the streams of living water, spring- 
ing from eternal life, 
Supplying the wants of the sons and daughters 
of men for the cleansing of their sins." 



96 HANDS AT REST. 

"Mr. Sugamma, who translated the above poem, 
was one of my earliest pupils in the Chautauqua 
Class. He was one of that class who left because 
I wanted them to study the Bible, but he and 
many others afterwards became earnest Christians. 
Mr. Sugamma married Dr. Mary Gault, who went 
to Japan as a missionary in the year 1S91 and was 
very successful as a medical missionary. 



HANDS AT RKST. 97 



CHAPTER XXII. 

WORK AMONG THE CHILDREN. 

In a letter sent with this picture Mrs. Drennan 
wrote as follows: "This is our children's society — 
twenty-five fine-looking, intelligent, lively children. 
If you think they are always quiet, models of pro- 
priety, as they seem to be in the picture, you are 
greatly mistaken. Look into those bright eyes 
and you will see fun. more than can be comfortably 
held in check long enough to have the picture taken. 
Then, hovering about my face, you can read the 
'don'ts' and frowns, shakes of the head and warning 
looks, that have helped to drive that fun out of 
sight, while the artist with his snap-shot made 
perpetual the composure thus forced upon them. 
This afternoon was their social meeting. This they 
have once in two months; their regular meeting 
once in two weeks. I am glad to give this enter- 
tainment to the boys especially, because it draws 
them from evil associations, and shows them how 
much better our Christian amusements are than 
those in which wine is used so freely. To-day as 
usual we had singing, then a Bible lesson read by 
one of the girls, a prayer by O Yone San, a paper 
read by one of the boys, then recitations, songs, 



98 HANDS AT REST. 

etc. The girls are unusually quiet and attentive. 
The boys could not wait patiently for the fun they 
knew they were to have after the exercises were 
over. When the meeting closed they were invited 
to the play room. Here they seated themselves 
in a circle around the room, the girls on one side, 
the boys on the other. Soon a servant came in 
with tiny cups of tea and a little plate of cakes 
for each. This was the signal for much merry 
laugh and talk. After this the cups and plates 
were removed and play began. One of their plays 
may be new to American children. One of the 
children repeats a word; it must be a noun, as 
potato. The. next one must take the last syllable 
'to,' and give another word beginning with that 
syllable, as to-bacco. Then the next must begin 
with 'co', as cocoanut, nutmeg, and soon. If the 
last one fails to find a suitable word he must pay 
a forfeit, which is usually a song, recitation, or an 
humble apology. If anyone uses a word which 
has already been used, he gets a light tap on the 
head. It is amusing, and requires quick thought. 
I have given this to help you to look in upon our 
circle of happy boys and girls in their social meeting. 
"Our Sunday school is good. Of the class of 
fourteen little girls who come once a week for more 
careful instruction as to how to come to Christ, 
some I think are already in the kingdom, and will 
soon be admitted into the church. These have grown 
up in our Sunday school almost from babyhood. 
One of the little girls, in a prayer at the last meeting, 
said, ' O, God, I go to Sunday school every Sunday, 
and am taught good things, but I forget, and do 
bad. Forgive my sin, and make me a true Chris- 



HANDS AT REST. 99 

tian.' The hearty 'Amen' that came from the 
whole class showed that they had entered into 
the spirit of her prayer. It is sweet thus to lead 
the babes to Christ. 

"Our Christmas entertainment, given in the 
church by the children, was indeed pleasant. If 
you could have heard how distinctly our little chil- 
dren rendered the songs and recitations, and could 
have seen the delight expressed in the faces of the 
parents and invited guests who filled our church 
to overflowing, you would then understand some 
of the things I have been doing. We had a box 
to receive gifts for the poor. When opportunity 
was offered, every Sunday school pupil went for- 
ward promptly and put in his gift. Afterward 
a committee of children was appointed to go with 
one of our Bible women to distribute the gifts 
to the poor. One poor old blind man was visited. 
The Bible woman told him and his wife that God 
had put it into the hearts of the children to do this. 
She talked to them of God's goodness, and prayed 
with them. The children looked on and listened 
with great interest, and were deeply impressed by 
the gratitude of the old people, who seemed much 
affected by what had been done for them. 

This is a sample of the way in which Christian 
Japanese celebrate Christmas, and might be sug- 
gestive to some American Sunday schools. 



LofC. 



IOO HANDS AT REST. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

SICKNESS. PHILANTHROPY.— A BUSY HOUSEHOLD. 

In October, 1899, Rev. J. C. Worley and his 
wife reached Japan, and located for a short 
time at Tsu. Of their arrival Mrs. Drennan 
wrote: "Our hearts scarce dared to hope for the 
great blessing that has come to this work in the 
Rev. J. C. Worley and his wife." So long she had 
borne the burden of that difficult field that the 
coming of new missionaries was hailed with delight. 

In the spring of 1900, at one time every member 
of Mrs. Drennan's family, consisting of fifteen 
girls, had La Grippe. She also suffered from two 
severe attacks from which she was slow to recover. 
On the 27th of April, 1900, Yone-mori San died of 
this dread disease. He was the pastor of the 
church at Ueno, and his death was a great blow 
to this congregation. The history of the conver- 
sion of this man is given in chapter twelve. After 
his death Mrs. Drennan expressed her grief in the 
following touching tribute to his memory: "This 
pure-hearted, faithful brother 'fell on sleep' the 
27th of April. Oh, how our hearts were grieved as 
we laid him to rest, yet we know all that is well. 
He had not an enemy in the world. Our people 
are all afflicted by his death." 



HANDS AT RKST. 



IOI 



May 21, 1900, O Tame San, one of Mrs. Drennan's 
girls who had been with her fourteen years, was 
married to Mr. Sugita, the pastor at Ueno. This 
diminished her number of helpers. Besides, she 
had not yet recovered, as was learned from a per- 
sonal letter to friends at home. She said: "I am 
not yet well, by any means. I do not say much 
about it as all are so distressed when I am sick. 
It is just a case of nervous prostration from over- 




MRS- DEENNANS FAMILY. 



work and responsibility when the weather was so 
hot. But I^am better, so do not feel anxious. I 
had such an interesting class of young men coming 
three nights in the week for Bible study. I was 
sorry to give them up, but will begin again as soon 
as I am well enough. I still have my two Sunday 
schools, and keep up the meetings for women, but 
all other work is being carried on by the church 
members." One fortunate and wise precaution 



102 HANDS AT REST. 

seems to have obtained through all her plans that 
made it possible to carry on each department of 
work under difficulties, and in spite of any emer- 
gency that might arise. This is evident from her 
allusion to trained church members attending to 
the work during her illness. 

She was so unselfish and thoughtful for the com- 
fort of others, that, notwithstanding her sickness, 
she arranged to accommodate many of the mission- 
aries whom, on account of the plague in Osaka, 
she knew would wish to spend the summer away 
from there. Through her influence a very wealthy 
man consented to have a number of cottages built 
near the sea, to rent to people who she felt sure 
would come to occupy them. The arranging and 
contracting for these consumed much time and 
thought as well as strength, and as Mr. and Mrs. 
Worley were at this time traveling through Kishu, 
she had no one to consult in regard to her building 
scheme. However, she succeeded in getting four 
comfortable cottages built, where the missionaries 
could have a safe summer's rest. Her philanthropy 
did not stop here. She wrote to the consul to send 
her four or five families of refugees from China, who 
had barely escaped with their lives. To these she 
offered places free of rent. Among the number 
entertained from China was our own missionary, 
Mr. Preston, for whom Mrs. Drennan felt a very 
high regard. She said of him: "He is so gentle, 
humble and consecrated that it is a great pleasure 
for me to have him with me. He helps me in my 
English classes. I would like to have him in our 
work here, but as soon as it is considered safe he 
will return to Hunan, China." 



HANDS AT REST. 103 

Although so devoted to the Japanese people and 
so thoroughly in love with her work, yet in Mrs. 
Drennan's writings occasionally there are found ex- 
pressions like the above, showing that her heart 
craved the companionship and sympathy of some 




one of her own people. The history of her work 
reveals the fact that very rarely did she have a 
co-laborer from her own land. This isolation 
possibly caused her to bestow more than usual 
affection upon her adopted friends. But hers was 



-I04 HANDS AT REST. 

not a cheerless home, and that she did not suffer 
for lack of loving attentions is clearly shown in 
this interesting extract from a letter dated July, 
1900: "Our closing school exercises are over. The 
girls are putting things in order. Daisy is at the 
organ in my sitting room. She is daily growing 
in loveliness and usefulness. She is now old 
enough for me to look forward with hopefulness 
to her future life. I am so thankful that I can 
look around on every side and see the dear girls 
whom God has given me in this land, filling their 
places as mothers, wives, and Christian workers, 
with reasonable satisfaction. Those who have 
been with me from childhood are indeed loving 
daughters." 

In this household every moment seemed to be 
utilized, and for Mrs. Drennan at least recorded 
some deed done. This pen-picture was given in a 
personal letter- "Just now, while I write, one of 
my pupils, who came in for his regular evening study, 
is writing a letter for Brother Preston to send back 
to his people in Changteh. The young man, who 
is a fine scholar, is putting it into Chinese. O Yone 
San helps him to understand the English. We are 
all sitting by the same lamp, O Yone San and the 
young man on the floor at our feet. Of course 
much talking is going on, explaining what should 
be said and how, but if I do not improve this little 
opportunity I cannot send this letter to you." 



HANDS AT REST. T05 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

A CAUSE OF MUCH OPPOSITION. 

This letter is introduced to show the cause of the 
great opposition of the common people to Chris- 
tianity, and some of the difficulties missionaries 
meet with in trying to teach them. 

A NORMAU STUDENT'S STORY. 

"While I was studying the history of our country 
we came to the place where the Roman Catholics 
came to propagate their religion at the time of 
Nobunaga. Our teacher said that ' Christianity is 
a very bad religion. The missionaries are here to 
deceive our people, and sooner or later they will 
do great harm to our country, like the missionaries 
of the Catholics of old, who tried to meddle in the 
affairs of the government. Christianity is a thing 
to be feared, and I advise you, dear boys, as your 
faithful teacher, not to meddle with it when you 
grow up. You stay away from it as you would 
from a contagious disease.' When I heard this 
explanation from the teacher, I thought that 
Christianity must be a very bad thing, and, though 
I was only nine or ten years old, I determined in 
my heart to obey the command of the teacher, and 



106 HANDS AT REST. 

not to have anything to do with it as long as I 
lived. We boys respect our teacher, and obey 
his word more than we do our parents. His talk 
about the religion of Christ made a strong im- 
pression on my mind, and I know all the pupils 
who heard him felt the same way. I was very 
eager for higher education. So I studied hard and 
was able to enter the normal school four years ago. 
After I entered this school I had the privilege of 
studying the history of other nations, and when- 
ever I read about Christianity it puzzled me, and 
I used to cast it away from my mind. Last year 
one of my schoolmates, who regularly attended 
Mrs. Drennan's Bible Class, asked me to go with 
him to her house for Bible study. I hesitated, 
but he urged me to attend even once, to hear the 
good moral teaching. At last I consented, and 
followed him. When we entered her house she 
welcomed us with a smile. When the others came 
she commenced her meeting by singing several 
English and Japanese hymns, and then came the 
Bible lesson. While she was explaining the meaning 
of the Bible, my mind was full of doubts and fears 
because of what my primary teacher had said 
against Christianity was still fresh in my memory. 
It was such a pleasant meeting and every thing that 
I heard that day was good and profitable. Ever 
since that I have gone to her Bible Class with my 
friend. As I studied the words of Jesus, I was con- 
vinced more and more of the truth of the Bible, 
and now I fully understand the mistaken ideas of 
my teacher. But in the words of our homely 
proverb: 'The heart of a child three years old 
remains unchanged to his hundredth year.' It is 



HANDS AT REST. 107 

indeed very difficult to forget or drive away some 
teaching from us which we have learned when 
young. But now by the teaching of Mrs. Drennan 
I fully believe that Christ is my Savior, and that 
there is only one true and living God, who reigns 
in the universe. I am very fortunate to receive 
the higher education, and to have the privilege of 
studying God's Word. But as to my primary 
classmates, who have learned the great error from 
their teacher and innocently believe Christianity 
to be such a dangerous doctrine, the feeling of hatred 
will never go out of their hearts unless they study 
the Word of God, or have some teacher like I have 
to explain its meaning. Among my schoolmates 
there were but few who received higher education. 
Most of them stopped studying when they gradu- 
ated in the primary school. I know by my experi- 
ence that there are many who have in their hearts 
mistaken ideas about Christianity. When I grad- 
uate my work will be in the primary schools. My 
great desire is to correct this error, and try to take 
prejudice out of their minds. There are mountains 
0/ things for Christians to do, but, to my mind 
the most important is to sow the seeds of Christianity 
in the young that they may grow up to be strong 
Christians, ready to fight the superstitious and 
idolatrous ideas which have prevailed so long in 
our nation." 



Io8 HANDS AT REST. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

STORY OF TSURA O KURA SAX. 

This girl was taken by Mrs. Drennan the year 
of the great flood in Osaka, in 1884. She developed 
into a most humble and useful Bible woman, and 
a tender and devoted nurse when her beloved 
Sensie was sick. She became so essentially one 
of Mrs. Drennan's family that a short sketch of 
her life will not be out of place here. All of these 
facts and some of the expressions are taken from 
letters received from O Yone San. The topography 
of the country is learned from a letter from Mrs. 
Drennan. 

South of Osaka is a large farming district, lying 
in a beautiful valley, through which runs the Yodo 
River, a short, rapid stream which rises in the moun- 
tains and empties into Osaka Bay. The formation 
of the country makes it necessary to have dikes 
on each side of the river, which usually serve to 
prevent an overflow. But a heavy rain, or rapid 
melting of snow on the mountains, sometimes 
brings great floods that laugh at such barriers, and 
the waters go leaping and bounding over dikes, 
spreading devastation over the farms and hundreds 
of villages that dot the valley. In 1884 there came 
the greatest flood the people had ever known. 



HANDS AT REST. 109 

Even the city of Osaka was flooded, so that it was 
not safe for the missionaries to stay on the con- 
cession, and at night Mrs. Drennan, who at this 
time had charge of the Wilmina school, was ordered 
by the government to leave her house. She and 
her household were taken for safety to the military 
hospital, an elevated place in the castle grounds. 
From this point no land was visible. The entire 
province of Kawachi was like a vast sea. There 
were fifteen villages completely covered with water, 
which were so filled with broken bridges, floating 
houses and trees, that boats, sent out to pick up 
people who were so fortunate as to get on house- 
tops, could scarcely move. In one of these floating 
houses lived Tsura Okura San. Her father was a 
farmer, and she had been his assistant. When 
the water surrounded and finally covered the doors 
of their little house, the family took refuge under 
the roof. A very small space being above the 
water the father tacked boards along this roof to 
which they could cling, and be out of the water, 
and also shielded from the cold wind. He cut a 
hole in the roof. Through this opening they could 
see many dead and some living bodies of people 
and animals floating by. For fifteen days they 
lived there, with nothing to eat except the grains 
of rice and barley which the father gathered from 
the water. At the end of that time a ship, sent 
out from Osaka by the foreigners, discovered and 
rescued this family, with many others. They were 
all taken to cabins that had been provided for them, 
situated on high ground. Here they remained three 
months. Everything they possessed had been 
swept away by the flood. 



HO HANDS AT REST. 

During this distressing period the governor had 
been very kind to Mrs. Drennan, and, feeling 
grateful for the many favors received from the 
Japanese people, she desired to show her apprecia- 
tion by doing something for the flood sufferers. 
She expressed her sympathy and desire to the 
governor, proposing to take six girls, to care for 
and educate. He was pleased with her plan, and 
notified the mayor of the flooded district to select 
the girls. When the proposition was made, O 
Tsura San was one of the six who wished to go. 
Her mother objected, saying that she would not 
be satisfied to stay away from home. But the little 
girl, just seven years old, said, "I will go." She 
was so devoted to her mother that nothing had 
ever tempted her to stay even one night away, and 
all of her family wondered to see her anxiety to 
go to the foreign school. A very rich uncle came 
and wished to adopt her as his own child, but 
nothing could move her until the invitation came 
from the strange foreign lady. Her mother was 
greatly prejudiced against foreigners. Buddhist 
priests had told her that the foreigners only pre- 
tended to be kind, and take little girls to educate, 
and that their real aim was to ship them to their 
country and draw out their blood to dye their red 
cloth. With this belief in her mind the mother 
was almost frantic over the thought of her child 
going from her. But when the time came the 
mayor promised to bring her home if she cried 
and wished to come, and the mother at last con- 
sented. 

O Tsura San was delighted with her new sur- 



HANDS AT REST, m 

roundings and kind friend. Since she has become a 
Christian she says it must have been the voice of God 
speaking to her childish heart, and his Spirit that made 
her willing to go and thus prepare her to receive his 
salvation. Deeply impressed with this belief she 
has consecrated her life to his service. Full of 
gratitude for all God has done for her, she tries 
most earnestly to work for him. 

After Mrs. Drennan's death she remained in 
Missouri until September. She then went to 
Lebanon, Tenn., and entered school, where she has 
become a favorite, not only with her teachers but 
with all the girls. One of her teachers said : "Every 
body seems to want to do something for her." In 
a recent letter she wrote as follows: "Please pray 
for me, that I may be able to work for the Lord. 
I am preparing for that. I must serve him in 
truth with all my heart, for what great things he 
hath done for me. My heart is full of thankfulness 
for his goodness. If he had not sent Sensie to 
Japan, I would have been ignorant like the rest 
of my country girls. I could not tell you how 
much blessing I received from him. So I must 
give to others. Dear friend, when Sensie died, I 
was in deep sorrow, and how much I miss her. 
Because I am a stranger I cannot talk English as 
much as I want. I did not know what to do, 
hereafter, I am so far from home. But now God 
has been so good. He gave so many kind friends, 
and sent me his word: 'Fear thou not, for I am 
with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I 
will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I 
will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteous- 



112 HANDS AT REST. 

ness.' — Isa. 61 : 10. I trusted to him all my sorrow. 
I am not feel lonesome. I am feeling I am under 
his almighty hand. Tsura Okura." 

It was Mrs. Drennan's plan, and Tsura San's 
desire, to remain in school two years, and then 
return to her country better prepared to teach 
the Bible to her friends. 



HANDS AT REST. 113 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

WORK IN THE COTTON MILLS. — ENCOURAGING OUT- 
LOOK. — "TWENTIETH CENTURY MOVEMENT." 

In September, 1900, Mrs. Drennan returned from 
the beach to Tsu, and took up her regular work, 
opening school the 17 th of September. 

In addition to work already begun by Mrs. 
Drennan, another open door invited her to enter. 
One of the officers of the cotton spinning mills was 
a regular member of her Bible class, and, through 
his interest and influence she arranged to have a 
Sunday school and magic lantern entertainments for 
the four hundred girls engaged at work in the mills, 
at Tsu. In this way she hoped to reach them with 
the gospel. A very difficult class, indeed, to reach, 
because of the strict rules for labor, requiring thern 
to work from six a.m. to six p.m., with short inter- 
mission for eating. There were sometimes holidays 
on occasions of festivals to household gods, and 
with the help of the Christian officer she hoped 
to interest some at least in Christianity. Nothing- 
seemed too hard for her to undertake. She counted 
not her own strength, but, like Paul, she felt, "I 
can do all things through Christ who strengthened! 
me." 



I 14 HANDS AT REST. 

In the year 1901 a great wave of religious influence 
swept over that country, known as the "Twentieth 
Century Movement in Japan." Great numbers 
of people were seeking to know about Christ. In 
the church at Tsu especial revival services were held 
and frequent prayer meetings in Mrs. Drennan's 
dwelling; also, meetings for children of Christian 
parents, and any others who might be led into a 
saving acquaintance with the plan of salvation. 
There were at this time thirteen girls who were 
sufficiently instructed in Christianity to personally 
accept Christ as a Savior. A young man who had 
been a member of her Bible class, and had become 
a Christian, married, and was made superintendent 
of the prison work at Yamada. His wife, through 
attendance at the annual meeting, had become an 
active Christian, and they both proved their sin- 
cerity by immediately beginning work among 
prison officers and their wives, reaching in this way 
fifteen families. Thus the influence of this one 
Christian woman increased, widening into a limitless 
circle. 

The summer of this year Mrs. Drennan regarded 
as the hottest she had ever known; yet she was 
able to keep at work all the time. She had entirely 
recovered from La Grippe, and wrote to her friends 
that she was as well as she ever was, and able to do 
full work. She did not go out as much as usual, 
because more important work came to the house, 
and she now had well-trained girls who could relieve 
her of much of the outside labor. She wrote en- 
thusiastically of the good health of the missionaries, 
and the prosperous condition of the work in different 
parts of the field. "As for myself," she wrote, "I 



HANDS AT REST. II5 

was sick about ten days with cold — the only sickness 
during the year that interfered with my duties. 
It seems that no year has drawn to a close bringing 
me more of health, vigor, energy and pleasure in 
my work than the closing months of 1901." 



HANDS AT REST. I I 7 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

RELATION TO THE) WORK AT TSU. — ITS ORGANIZATION 
AND EARLY HISTORY. 

Mrs. Drennan had a great desire to have the 
church at Tsu regularly organized and self-sup- 
porting. At this time there were one hundred and 
two members. She manifested great care and 
prudence in advancing her work. She had delayed 
the organization up to this time, because she felt 
that none of the members had had sufficient ex- 
perience to become safe elders and deacons. The 
church was controlled by a committee. O Yone 
San, being the strongest member, had received 
instructions, and acted under Mrs. Drennan's 
guidance, but it seemed that the time had arrived 
when the church was quite ready to be legally 
organized, and she hoped they would soon be self- 
supporting. That this enterprise was very dear 
to her heart is learned from the following extract 
from a letter written at this time: "If we succeed, 
I will indeed be full of joy. I pray God to let me 
see this glad day. For nearly ten years I have 
toiled here, amid opposition, persecution, and 
difficulties, the result of working in the hardest 
province in Japan. To be permitted to see these 



IlS HANDS AT REST. 

efforts crowned with success will indeed be gladness 
to my heart. Since I have been here more than 
three hundred names have been enrolled as members 
of our church. In the ten years they have been 
scattered, some in schools, some in the army, and 
some in other countries. We now number one 
hundred and twelve." 

It has been said by an intelligent native of Japan 
that if the province of Ise could be moved or 
turned to Christianity, it would not be difficult to 
shake the whole country." Hence the great im- 
portance of introducing Christianity into Tsu, the 
largest city of that province.* The great shrine of 
Ise is near there, and every year, from the beginning 
of March to the last of June, multitudes of pilgrims 
from ever}' part of the country go through Tsu to 
worship at that shrine, thus making this, as Mrs. 
Drennan stated, not only the most important but 
the most difficult place to work in all Japan. The 
success of her efforts under such conditions were 
marvelous, testifying to the truth that "it is not 
by might, nor by power," but by the Spirit of God. 
through his willing workers, that great things are 
accomplished. 

On the afternoon of December 24, Mrs. Drennan 
went to the church to meet the children for their 
final rehearsal, preparatory to their Christmas en- 
tertainment. There was a cold typhoon blowing, 
and after reaching the church she found that the 



*The great shrines are not at Tsu but at Yamada. twelve 
miles from Tsu, and this city is considered by far the mcs t 
difficult to reach. The Attthor probably misunderstoo I 
Mrs. Drennan's statement. Multitudes of pilgrims pa^s 
through Tsu on their way to these shrines. 



HANDS AT REST. 119 

stoves had been removed to make room for the 
audience. To overcome the discomfort of a cold 
room, while waiting for the children she assisted 
the decorating committee, and worked in a very 
unusual way for so old a lady. The result of this 
exposure was a severe cold. After the exercises 
closed she went home and commenced a vigorous 
treatment of herself to prevent sickness, staying 
in her room the remaining days of the year, 
that she might be able to attend the joy- 
ously anticipated mission meeting, to be held 
in Osaka the first week in January. Although 
not entirely well, she went to Osaka the morn- 
ing of the 4th of January. The house she oc- 
cupied while there was not as warm as her own, 
and she was taking more cold all the time. As 
soon as the meeting closed she 'returned home and 
was soon well and working as usual. 

After the annual meeting of the mission at Osaka 
the work at Tsu continued as usual. In April Mrs. 
Drennan attended the Woman's Meeting for Mie 
Ken. The enthusiastic gathering of the Christian 
women of that province was always interesting and 
well attended, but this one was regarded as the 
most helpful meeting they had ever had. Mrs. 
Drennan said: "We had some good papers, many 
interesting talks and discussions, by women who 
had come so full of the Spirit and zeal as to inspire 
all with new life. These meetings have for so many 
years been so pleasant and profitable to us, the 
fruits of which I am sure will be seen and known 
in eternity." As was their custom on the third 
day they went to the park for their last picnic 
dinner. Fortunately, however, they did not know 



120 



HANDS AT REST. 



this was to be their last annual meeting with their 
loved teacher, and all enjoyed it to the full, uncon- 
scious of the impending sorrow that awaited them. 



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ELDERS OF TSU CHERCH. 



According to appointment, on the first day of 
May, 1902, Rev/ J. B. Hail and Rev. Mr. Sisakura 
came to Tsu and legally organized the^'church, by 
selecting and ordaining as elders, Mr. S. Nagota > a 



HANDS AT REST. 121 

lawyer; Mr. K. Yashide, Chief of Police, and Mr. Y. 
Iwasiko, a former judge of the court: Mrs. M. 
Fugii and Miss Yone Hara as deaconesses. 
The first official act of this session was to send an 
earnest petition to the mission, and to each of 
the Board, begging that Mrs. Drennan be allowed 
to stay in Japan, and die among them, pledging 
themselves to take care of her; or that she might 
be permitted to stay until they had become strong 
and independent. In speaking of the grief of her 
people over her departure, Mrs. Drennan said: 
"No doubt it is best for them, for they will see the 
necessity of depending on themselves.'' 

Since the church at Tsu has become an inde- 
pendent, self-supporting organization, and was 
during the last years of Mrs Drennan's life the 
center of her circuit of labor, it deserves special 
mention, and a brief account of its beginning and 
early history will be given. When Mrs. Drennan 
had been in Japan ten years, just six months 
before she came to the United States for her first 
rest, she moved from Ueno to Tsu. However, she 
had opened work at Tsu in September, six months 
previous, going there once each month, while her 
home was in Ueno. When the work at Ueno had 
become sufficiently established to progress without 
her constant oversight, she decided to make her 
home in Tsu, Ise. But so strong was the prejudice 
against foreigners and Christians that she found 
it very difficult to secure a house to live in. They 
said that she must stop outside the city. But, 
finally, money prevailed and she secured a com- 
fortable house in a suburb of the city. This was 
distant from the place where she had already 



122 HANDS AT REST. 

begun work, and in going to and from this point 
the girls of her household were so annoyed and 
persecuted that she was forced to close until they 
could get another house for worship. There was 
little hope for doing this, because no one wished 
to rent to the despised Christians. The young 
men, four or five of whom were interested in the 
work, became anxious to build a house. Mrs. 
Drennan told them that if they would secure a 
lot she would build the church. They went ener- 
getically to work, and very soon had bought a lot, 
on which was built a neat frame church. This 
served as a place of worship, for preaching, and 
Sunday school, until the organization, when there 
were one hundred and fifty members, and a Sunday 
school too large for the house. Thus the work at 
Tsu grew steadily until the time for her departure, 
when she wrote that "two new rooms are impera- 
tively demanded by the present growth of the work." 
In the early part of July she had the closing 
exercises of the Bible Training School. There were 
two graduates. One of these went immediately 
to help Mrs. Hail, the other to Ueno to help the 
Bible woman there, where she remained a short 
time. Then she returned to Tsu to assist in Sunday 
school and Bible work in connection with O Yone 
San, who continued in the work, as she had done 
with Mrs. Drennan, visiting, teaching, holding 
women's meetings, teachers' meetings, Sunday 
school, etc. This arrangement Mrs. Drennan said 
she made at the earnest request of the elders of 
the church. O Yone San had been elected deacon- 
ess; she was already their collector and treasurer, 
and they felt that they could not give her up. 



HANDS AT REST. 1 23 

Mrs. Dremran wrote: "It was not difficult for me 
to decide that it would be best for her to remain 
and keep up the work, as she had been accustomed 
to do with my help for years past. Thus the en- 
gagement with the church was settled with my 
hearty approval, as soon as it was known that I 
was to come home." 



124 HANDS AT REST. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

EVENTS PRECEDING HER DEPARTURE. 

H^'Just a few days before I left Japan," she wrote, 
"one of my girls, O Sada Miyegaki, who had been 
supported by the society of Pueblo, Colo., was 
married to Mr. Shozo Kojima (my Shozo San), a 
deacon in our first church in Osaka. He is one 
of the best church workers, and a good business 
man. She is a most excellent girl. Before leaving 
Japan I had the pleasure of taking dinner with 
them in their home. Thus another Christian home 
has been set up by my children in Japan." Shozo 
San will be remembered as the small brother of 
Daisy, who was sent to nurse his sister when Mrs. 
Drennan adopted her. Mrs. Drennan partly edu- 
cated him, and he was a member of her family 
several years. So it can be readily understood 
why she designates him as my Shozo San. 

Of the three little girls whom she was supporting 
she wrote: "They had to be scattered. I was 
not able to leave money for their support, and I 
found no one else ready to take them and give 
them homes. One was put on a scholarship in 
Wilmina School. Mr. and Mrs. Sugama took one 
of them (an orphan) and put her in school. One, 



HANDS AT REST. 125 

who was in very poor health when I took her, was 
put under the care of a physician until restored. 
She is now not quite twelve years old. She ex- 
presses great gratitude to God for his blessings, 
and wants to dedicate her life to him and work for 
him while she lives. May God bless and use her, 
is my prayer. Another little orphan I could get 
no home for, so I had to consent to have her sent 
to our Orphanage for two years, when I hope again 
to take her. This little girl is Faith. I felt as 
if I was just leaving her standing by the road, 
she was so pitiful with the tears streaming down 
her face as she looked at us, while the car bore 
us away from her. The Orphanage will be the 
safest protection against the old people, who will 
try to take her as soon as they know I am gone." 

In the twenty-second chapter is given an account 
of the rescue and adoption of this child by Mrs. 
Drennan, whom she named Faith. 

The last meeting with her people, who had as- 
sembled for a farewell service in the Tsu church, 
is most touchingly described by O Yone San, who 
said: "Invitations had been sent to former pupils 
and friends who are scattered in different parts 
of the Empire. There were many present. We 
have over one hundred Christians in our church 
whose love for Sensie is beyond description. They 
all came and wept about her going. It is a very 
rare thing for a Japanese man to shed tears before 
the people. But when they came to talk to Sensie 
about her going, they could not help weeping for 
her departure. Her final talk was most inspiring 
to us. While she was talking they were weeping. 
It was a most pitiful sight. It reminded me of 



126 HANDS AT REST. 

the last discourse of Christ to his disciples, when 
they left the supper table and were going to the 
garden of Gethsemane. Her heart was full, and 
when she tried to talk her thoughts came out in 
tears. We will never forget her last words. Sensie 
gave her soul and body to the service of God, and 
worked amid hardships and trials. She cared for 
her people as their own mother. There is none so 
consecrated, wise in judgment and popular. It 
breaks her heart, and discourages these weak 
Christians who have come out from superstition 
and idolatrous worship." Livingstone gave his 
life for Africa and his heart was buried under 
the spreading branches of the moula tree. Mrs. 
Drennan no less truly gave her life for Japan; 
and, though her living body was brought to her 
native land for burial, her heart, she said, was left 
beyond the sea with the people God had given her 
as sons and daughters in his spiritual family, and 
with whom she had hoped to be buried. Nine 
years before she had said to friends in America: 
"I will not see you again. It is just as near to 
heaven from Japan as from the home land, and 
my people need me so that when the end comes, 
I want my grave made among the people I have 
oved and for whom I have labored." 

The following farewell address was delivered by 
O Yone San at the last gathering of the Japanese 
people with Mrs. Drennan, in the church at Tsu 1 

"On behalf of the women's societies I would 
like to say a few words of farewell to our dear 
Sensie. It is with great grief that we are here 
gathered in a meeting, to bid you farewell. It is 



HANDS AT REST. 127 

the most sorrowful thing for us to be separated 
from you. It is almost unbearable. You have 
been in our midst so long, and worked unceasingly 
for our highest happiness. When in our happiest 
moods, your presence added pleasure to the scene; 
and when sorrow visited our homes, your words 
of consolation and sympathy made the sorrow 
lighter. To us you have been a patient leader, 
a wise counsellor, and a most excellent teacher, 
sent from God. You are all in all to us, and will 
ever be regarded with highest esteem. Twenty 
years ago you left your country, your dear ones, 
and crossed the deep waters, and came to our 
country to bring the good news of salvation. 
You bore this grand work on your heart. You 
laid aside every hindrance and sacrified bodily 
comfort, and toiled on, counting twenty years as 
a day, faithful amid every trial and obstacle. 
We, as women of this church, thank you heartily 
for your kindness and tender care, under which 
we have been brought up. You have taught us 
with zealous love and patience that pierced our 
hearts, and won us to Christ, our dear Savior. 
When we contrast our former life with our Christian 
life, we cannot restrain the warm tears of gratitude. 
Mr. Henry Drummond well said: 'It will take you 
years to speak in Chinese, or in the dialect of India ; 
but from the day you land, the language of love, 
understood by all, will be pouring forth its uncon- 
scious eloquence. It is the man who is the mis- 
sionary; it is not his words. His character is his 
message." Your ardent love to Christ and for our 
people has made your work successful in winning 
many souls to Christ. Indeed, we cannot express 



128 HANDS AT REST. 

our gratitude to you for what you have done for 
our nation. The mental and spiritual education 
received from you is not confined to this small 
circle. Hundreds of young men and women who 
have become Christians under your care are scat- 
tered in different parts of the Empire, doing good 
work, adorning the doctrine of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. Eternity will tell of the faithful work you 
have done in the name of Christ. Your living 
among us was a great pleasure and was profitable 
to us, but now circumstances have made it impos- 
sible for you to remain, and we are so sorry to part 
with you. But if it is his will we will not murmur. 
We who are here to-night are the fruits of your 
work. What can we say for a parting word to you? 
It would be impossible to repay you for what you 
have done for us, but we can ask our Heavenly 
Father, who is rich in mercy, to recompense you 
manifold. We have been casting all our burdens 
upon you, and depending on you like helpless 
children; but from this day on, by the help of God, 
we determine to follow your footsteps as you fol- 
lowed Christ, and carry on the work which you 
have left for us to do. If it is the will of the Lord 
we hope to meet you again. Xow with aching 
hearts we part. We send you with Godspeed. 
Though our bodies may be separated by the vast 
ocean, it is a comforting thought that we can meet 
together before the throne of God for mutual 
blessing. May you have a pleasant journey on 
land and sea, and reach safely your desired haven, 
is the earnest prayer of your sons and daughters 
in Christ. Accept our best wishes, and carry our 
thanks to friends in America for the ?ood and 



HANDS AT REST. 



I29 



noble work they have done through your instru- 
mentality. May 'God be with you till we meet 
again.' Farewell, farewell! 

" Yone Hara. 
"September 26, 1902." 

THE GOOD-BYE TO MY DEAR TEACHER AND MOTHER 
IN LORD CHRIST. 



•"TV £ 



i 




(Translated by Tsura San.) 

The Farewell. 
To Madam A. M. Drennan: 

I know that it isn't very long time, though we 
are separating you just now, but our eyes are full 



130 HANDS AT REST. 

of warm tear. Why our hearts shall be palpitating 
so many? 

I don't know that reason. 

'Tis only for a little season 
The parting of our ways; 
Then why this flood of tears warm? 
Then why these throbbing hearts within our bosoms? 

K. Banno. 

The words of Mrs. Drennan's last talk to the 
Tsu church were preserved and contributed to 
this volume by O Yone San, and bespeak the sym- 
pathy of all who read it in this, the last great 
trial of her life. Like Paul in his charge to Timothy, 
•who cried out in his earnestness: "O Timothy, 
keep that which is committed to your trust," so 
she pleads with the elders and members of the Tsu 
church to care for it tenderly. Every word of this 
address, which is here given, speaks the love and 
pain of a breaking heart in its agony of separation 
from the work which was life and strength to her: 

"Dear Friends, Brothers and Ststeps: It is 
with feelings of pleasure, deeply darkened with pain, 
that I try to speak only a few words to you to-night. 
It is a great pleasure, full of heart cheer, to have 
so many here, and to look into faces that have 
grown familiar and dear to me — friends of the olden 
time from afar, and those around us, all with 
kindly greeting and tender words. It is indeed a 
great pleasure to welcome you all here. I recall the 
many kindnesses you have shown me during the 
years I have been among you. I came to you a 
stranger from a strange land, having strange ways, 



HANDS AT REST. 131 

and words and teachings which you could not 
understand; but you took me in — into your hearts, 
your homes, your friendships — and have shown me 
so much kindness and sympathy, that I have not 
felt as a stranger, but among brothers and sisters 
beloved for Christ's sake. It is a great pleasure 
to receive from you this parting evidence of your 
love for me. Your kind words and actions fill my 
heart too full for utterance. I can only let my 
feelings flow out in tears. Please excuse this. It 
is a pleasure that will remain with me while life 
lasts. Often, very often, in the days and years 
to come, thoughts of you and of this meeting will 
come as a great joy to my heart. As 1 travel over 
the great sea, mountains and plains that are to 
separate us during the remainder of our lives, 
backward, backward will my thoughts fly and 
hover over and about you in loving remembrance 
while my prayers will ascend to God for you, and 
for the work left in your hands. 

"Our beloved church! Brethren, care for it 
tenderly. Let no root of bitterness spring up 
among you to mar the sweet peace and harmony 
that prevails among us. Let the Spirit of Christ 
fill all hearts, lead every action, preside in every 
conference, and guide in every decision, that God 
may be honored and glorified in all you do, and say 
that many, very many, seeing your good works, 
may be led to the Savior whom you love -and serve. 
I pray that soon, very soon, you may become 
self supporting. Dear sisters, and children in your 
societies, work and pray for this so that all hearts, 
united, mutually striving for the one object, may 
soon accomplish the work for which we have prayed. 



L32 HANDS AT REST. 

Above all, I would say, keep our Heavenly Father 
in your midst, in your hearts, in your work, your 
meetings, your church, your homes, your lives. 

what a joy will come to my heart when I hear 
that you are self-supporting, and that peace and 
love reign in your hearts. Delightfully pleasant 
thoughts come to my mind as I look beyond years, 
months, and days of the future, to our happy meet- 
ing in the beautiful world beyond. There will be 
no partings, no pains, no sorrows, no sickness or 
sin there. We will know each other there. But 
you of the Ronenkai will have no wrinkles in your 
brow, no furrows in your cheek, your eyes will not 
be dim nor your steps feeble. Ah! we will joyfully 
clasp hands, as one by one we cross over the river 
and reach that beautiful city of love, where the 
Savior is always in the midst. Till then, a long 
good-bye, full of thanks to each one of you. This 
adieu reveals the pain that is in my heart. We 
have lived and loved, worked and prayed, 
wept and rejoiced together; but now our paths 
separate. I must return to my native land, knowing 

1 shall see you no more in the flesh. Ah! this is 
pain! There is a little plot of ground not far out 
from town, bought by the work of our hands as a 
resting place for our dead. There soon some of 
your dear ladies may be laid to rest. I will soon 
be laid away in a far-off land. But each from 
his own resting place will rise to join the heavenly 
host. There we shall again clasp hands. Another 
painful thought comes to my mind: I have done 
so little, been so unfaithful, so unworthy the love 
and confidence you express, and the words you 
have spoken to-night. Again and again I say to 



HANDS AT REST, 1 33 

you, Thanks, ten thousand thanks, for all your 
love and kindness to me. I cannot speak half that 
is in my heart because of the feeling that fills my 
eyes with tears. Asking pardon for all errors I 
have committed, I beg that you will still love 
and pray for me. 



34 HANDS AT REST. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE DEPARTURE. 

In a letter dated September 4th, 1902, Mrs. 
Drennan wrote: "A letter from the Board to-day- 
says that I had better go home in October. Because 
I have had influenza they seem afraid for me to 
spend another winter here. That may be all right, 
but feeling as well as I do now, it seems mockery 
to leave my work and go home for health's 
sake." She adds: "Pray for me while on this 
long, lonely, tiresome voyage." The next news 
was dated October 1st, stating: "I arn preparing 
to go home by Steamer Korea, which sails 
from Yokahoma, October 11." The sad leave- 
taking is described by O Yone San as follows: 

"It seemed that every one in the city was dis- 
tressed about her going. As we went to the depot 
the policemen bowed and made gesture with their 
hands to bid farewell to her. When we came to 
the station we were surprised to see the great 
crowd of people waiting to say good-bye. All the 
officers of the city, judges, doctors, teachers, mer- 
chants, and all the members of the church, from 
the oldest to the youngest, were there. I never 
saw such a crowd. They were all weeping, for 



HANDS AT REST. 1 35 

this was the final farewell of their beloved mis- 
sionary. When the train left they continued 
weeping and crying, for they will see her no more. 
I hope you will pray for me, that I may live nearer 
our dear Savior, and perform my duty after she 
is gone. I have nobody to depend upon. I feel 
lonely and miss her. My hearf is full. I am writing 
this letter with tears in my eyes. I hope you 
will see Sensie face to face. 

" O Yone Hara." 

The steamer was delayed and Mrs. Drennan left 
Japan October 15, 1902, bringing with her two 
Japanese girls : Daisy, who had been with her from 
infancy, the story of whose early life is found in 
the tenth chapter; and O Tsura San, who had been 
with her seventeen years, and whose history is 
found in these pages. After a rough voyage of 
ten days she landed in San Francisco October 28. 
During the passage there were terrific storms. 
The ship raced in front of a typhoon all the way. 
They stopped at a hotel nearly two weeks, seeking 
rest from the trying voyage. But notwithstanding 
her fatigue, she met many friends and visitors 
during her stay there, doing what she could to 
strengthen and encourage struggling congregations. 
From San Francisco they went to San Jose, where 
they visited in the home of Rev. Mr. Compton. 
On Sunday she made a public talk at the church, 
and received and entertained many visitors during 
the week spent there. She next spent ten days 
with her cousin, Rev. Nathan Motherel, at Han- 
ford, giving most of her time to visiting and talking 
to people about the great thought that filled her 



;6 HANDS AT REST. 

\-art, sometimes speaking to large crowds. She 
*rote very little of her journey. In one letter, 
wiitten after reaching Pneblo, Colo., she said: 
I was so busy with packing, and the sad leave- 
taking of my dear, dear people, that I could not 
write. On the ship I was sick, weary and lonely. 
At San Francisco and San Jose I had no time. 
At Hanford I was quite tired and worn, and felt 
it was necessary to go to my sister's, where I went 
to bed at once. The trip from Hanford was very 
hard, so many changes and failures to make con- 
nection, and such a snowstorm in the mountains 
that I took cold. I am getting a good old-fashion 
rest here with my sister, Mrs. Bell, and hope soon 
to be strong, well and happy again." But 
the sad trial through which she had passed, the 
great strain of travel, and the effort to see and 
talk to friends, completely prostrated her, and 
she was sick until Christmas. During January 
and February she took a furnished house, and 
lived there with her two girls. Her sister's beautiful 
home afforded every comfort, and she received all 
the loving attention that her kindred could bestow, 
yet she thought best to keep house with her Japanese 
girls for a while, that she might do the necessary 
writing that had accumulated, without having to 
appear selfish by withdrawing from the happy circle 
of her sister's household. The offer of a furnished 
house, by a friend, afforded the opportunity, and 
against the protests of her sister and her family 
she moved into it and remained two months. At 
this time it was intensely cold, and she was not 
often out of the house. In March she attended 
Presbytery at Colorado Springs. After four days 



HANDS AT REST. I 37 

she returned to Mrs. Bell's, worn out. Another 
short rest and she went to Canyon City, where 
she made several talks during the week. On 
Easter Sunday she made three public addresses, 
but could not finish in the evening because of 
fatigue. Again she returned to her sister's as a 
haven of rest. 
6 



HANDS AT REST. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

LETTERS FROM JAPAN. 

Although so far away from Tsu her interest in 
her church did not diminish. She received frequent 
letters from the pastor and other members of the 
church, O Yone San writing in detail of all the 
happenings and progress of the work, so that Mrs. 
Drennan was much encouraged that the burning 
desire of her heart would be realized — "that 'the 
church at Tsu would become self-supporting." 
Writing from Pueblo she said: "A strong church 
at Tsu would strengthen the work in every other 
part of Mie Ken. I have been greatly pleased that 
Mr. Fugii has at last found it possible to begin 
preparation for the ministry. For more than a 
year he has been talking with me about his con- 
victions of duty, but after it was decided I should 
come home I could do so little toward opening 
fields for him, I could only recommend him to 
Brothers Latham and J. E. Hail. I am truly glad 
they have employed him as a teacher, and thus 
helped him prepare for the ministry." 

The following extract from a letter written by 
Rev. J. E. Hail to Mrs. Drennan, while she was in 
Pueblo, Colo., speaks of this young man. The 



HANDS AT REST. 1 39 

letter also shows how Mr. Hail, as Mrs. Drennan's 
successor, regarded the work done by her in Tsu, 
how she was missed, and the faithfulness of those 
left in charge, to try to carry out her plans. Mr. 
Hail wrote: "The work in Mie Ken, as a whole, 
is looking up; but where are the workers? We 
need laborers so much, and liberal contributions 
to support them. I have some money for Mr. 
Fugii's support, and he is employed as teacher by 
Mr. Latham and myself, and we are to teach him 
theology ourselves. You did a great work, I 
believe, in securing that man for Christ — a work 
that will tell through time and eternity. The 
more we see of him the more we marvel at the man's 
abilities. I believe he will make a wonderful 
worker for Christ, and be a monument to the power 
of our Lord in winning and making captive the 
best men. It is a great sacrifice of opening fame 
and of money-making he has made to become an 
humble preacher of the despised Christ in this 
land. But the King, when he comes, will remem- 
ber all. 

"The more I see of what you did, the harder it 
is to know how you accomplished it all. It is 
wonderful how these people cling to 'Sensie,' 
whether it be the picture hanging on the church 
wall, or in the humble home, or in the richer 
home, or in the oft mention of your name. All 
tell of a deep, abiding love and faithfulness that 
is most touching. You cannot know how Banno 
and O Yone San have worked, and T. Kanoga, 
too, to keep up the work since you left, nor how 
hard the work has been. Yes, I guess you do knoiv, 
more than we do, how hard it is. Sometimes I 



140 HANDS AT REST. 

wish I were a painter, that I might paint the sor- 
rowful company who stood on the railroad platform, 
and then mounted the bridge, when they could 
see you no longer, to see the train, and wave a 
a farewell once more. But this is God's work, 
and I believe he will show in time how deeply and 
well laid has been the foundation work here in 
Tsu, and how well done has been the superstructure. 
Banno San was telling me about trying to see 
you off from Yokohama. But the police, on 
account of the plague existing there, refused 
allow him, and a number of other Japanese who 
had come to tell you good-bye, to leave the city 
for the ship. It was too bad that the matter thus 
turned out. I have been trying to do the work 
in my hands in such a way that it will carry out 
your ideas. "John E. Hail." 

O Yone San felt the separation from Mrs. Drennan 
more keenly, perhaps, than any one else, as this 
extract from a letter written soon after she had 
gone will testify: 

"My Dear Sensie: I am trying to follow your 
footsteps, and do everything like you wanted me 
to do, when you told me tenderly and kindly to 
stay here and help the dear sisters after you are 
gone. Then I was selfish, and my heart was filled 
with distress and grief ^about separating from you; 
but now your kind words and advice come vividly 
to my heart, and ever since I am praying earnestly 
that God will use me in any way he would have 
me to do. Oh! dear Sensie; it is a great sacrifice 
to me to be away from you, but if it is his will, I 
am willing to bear anything for him. Day by day 
I am impressed more and more with the importance 



HANDS AT REST. 141 

of my staying with the people now, especially to 
help the women in their work. They are earnestly 
working for the church. They are kind to me, 
and love me for your sake. When you were here 
I depended on you entirely, and did not need to 
use my own brain. So it was easy. But now I 
have nobody to depend upon, so I must think and 
use my own judgment so something came up that 
I did not know what to do. Then how I miss and 
long to see and talk with you, and ask your advice. 
But I am thanking God for using such an unworthy 
one as I am for this responsible work. I feel my 
utter helplessness, and my dependence is only on 
Christ. I am earnestly praying to God to give me 
a double portion of your spirit, so that in some 
measure I may be like you. I believe the Lord 
is ans wering my feeble prayers, for I have such 
an earnest desire to do anything for the cause of 
Christ. I was proud, and did not like to be the 
servant of others, but now I am willing to be any- 
thing in order that I may do some good for my 
people. Sensie, please pray for me daily, that I 
may forget myself entirely, and be a really con- 
secrated worker. Our church members are all 
grateful for your ten years' labor here. We can 
never repay for what you have done. But it is 
their longing desire to get independent, and become 
a strong church, and soothe your anxious mind. 
They all love you, and want to write to you. Sev- 
eral have asked if they have to get different paper 
and envelopes to send letters to you. Write to 
me often. My only earthly pleasure is receiving 
letters from you. Yours lovingly, 

"Yone Hara." 



142 HANDS AT REST. 

There is no death! Our loved ones sleep; 

Their bodies fade, as do the flowers; 
Transplanted into bliss, they there 

Adorn immortal bowers. 

The kindly voice, whose lowest tones 
Made glad hearts sad with sin and strife, 

Now sings an everlasting song 
Around the tree of life. 

But kindly deeds and life of love 

Speak, tho' the form lies 'neath the sod: 

And with increasing influence move 
Benighted souls to come to God. 



HANDS AT REST. 1 43 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

LAST DAYS. 

Mrs. Drennan had planned to attend the meeting 
of the Woman's Board at Huntsville, Ala., and also 
to visit friends in Kentucky and Tennessee. After 
resting at Pueblo, Colo., until she thought she had 
recovered sufficient strength for the trip she bade 
her sister and family good-bye, and started May 
5. She traveled until she had reached Holden, 
Mo., the home of her nephew, Mr. McCutchen. 
She was unable to continue the journey, and was 
quite ill for several weeks. However, she rallied, 
and the 24th of May, accompanied by Mr. Mc- 
Cutchen, she went to Pilot Grove, Mo., the home 
of her childhood, to visit Mrs. List, her niece. 
One of the Japanese girls, Daisy, she left with 
Mrs. Bell, at Pueblo, Colo., but O Tsura San went 
with her always as her companion and nurse. 
The morning after her arrival at Pilot Grove she 
seemed cheerful and somewhat rested, She insisted 
that Mrs. List go to Sunday school as usual. 
For a few days it seemed that her strength was 
increasing. She enjoyed the old scenes, and took 
a lively interest in all around her. But when the 
rainy season came, and she could not be out in 



144 HANDS AT REST. 

the open air, she grew listless, and was not inclined 
to talk and had no appetite. Her constant cry 
was for rest, rest. She suffered very little bodily 
pain. Sometimes her tongue cramped so that she 
could not talk. But two weeks before she died 
the Drennan Mission Band met at Mrs. List's 
home. Although Mrs. Drennan was not able to 
sit up, she showed the children some curios, and 
talked to them as much as she could. The next 
day she requested Mrs. List to write to Mr. Preston 
to cancel an engagement in Texas. 

Two of her nieces were with her, but O Tsura 
San was by her bedside constantly. Just four days 
before she died she tried to sing "When Jesus 
Comes." After a feeble attempt she smilingly 
said, "I cannot sing much." She also tried to 
repeat the fourteenth chapter of John. After 
speaking the first verse she was quiet so long that 
her friends, standing near, thought she had fallen 
asleep; but presently she continued, "If it were 
not so, I would have told you." She seemed to 
be conscious to the last. She sent for Mr. Mc- 
Cutchen and spoke to him of her burial, and ex- 
pressed her satisfaction that he had had the family 
burying ground put in order. She gave directions 
for her funeral expenses, and requested that the 
small amount left over be given to the two Japanese 
girls, Daisy and O Tsura San. The night before 
she died she told O Tsura San that she was going 
to die soon. "When the poor girl seemed over- 
whelmed with grief she said, "Why, you ought 
to have been expecting this. You see I am getting 
weaker every day." She then spoke of her plans, 
and asked O Tsura San if she still wished to go to 



HANDS AT REST. I45 

Lebanon to school. The girl replied, "Yes, 1 want 
to go to school, then go back to teach my people." 
Mrs. Drennan said, "You shall go. I am very 
sorry to leave you here, but you will not feel 
lonely. God will take care of you, and you will 
always have a good home. This is my last night 
with you. I am going to heaven to-morrow." 
This last was learned from O Tsura San, as in 
broken voice and eyes streaming with tears she 
repeated, by request, the last conversation of her 
dear Sensie. 

Mrs. List furnished the particulars of her death. 
She said: "O Tsura San would not leave Auntie 
at all. She gave all the medicine and nourishment, 
and seemed to know just how to move her. I 
never saw a more devoted daughter." Once during 
her last hours Mrs. Drennan seemed to be talking 
to little children, telling them in simple language 
how it hurt Jesus when they crucified him, how 
they pressed the crown of thorns on his head, 
and the nails were driven into his hands and feet, 
and how thirsty he was. Thus she died, telling 
the story of the cross. Her very last words were: 
"O Tsura San," and the faithful girl responded, 
"I am here." As the faithful EHsha, who refused 
to leave Elijah, was honored by receiving a double 
portion of his spirit, so may the mantle of this 
gifted servant of God fall on her devoted attend- 
ant, who, growing more and more into her likeness, 
may with truth have it said of her: "The spirit 
of her loved Sensie doth rest on O Tsura San." 

Mrs. Drennan died June 26, 1903, at nine o'clock 
p.m. She was buried Sunday, the 28th, at the old 
Mt. Vernon cemetery, by the side of her first 



146 HANDS AT REST. 

husband, Rev. Mr. Witherspoon, her father, brother, 
sister, and many others gone before. Her funeral 
was preached by Rev. R. L. Shepherd, of Missouri 
Valley College. As a subject for his discourse he 
read selections from the fourteenth chapter of 
John, eleventh chapter of Hebrews and twelfth 
chapter of Genesis, comparing her life to that of 
Abraham's in its longings, its sacrifices, doubts 
and fears, leaving home and going to a far country 
at God's call. In an article written by Prof. 
Shepherd, that appeared in "The Cumberland 
Presbyterian" soon after her death, he spoke as 
follows of four prominent characteristics: "A sense 
of the presence of God, a disposition to be doing, 
great faith and great love. They are always 
marks of a great religious character. A nature 
thus endowed must make its impress on the world. 
To stand by her grave and remember what she had 
done at the call of the Master and the call of her 
church, was like hearing a voice from the skies, 
calling to men to 'believe in God.' " 

The study of Mrs. Drennan's life, from its be- 
ginning to the close, naturally leads to a desire to 
know the secret of the wonderful success that 
seemed to have attended her every effort. It was not 
that the way was made easy. The history tells 
how, from the beginning of her career as a mission- 
ary she met with opposition and discouragement 
that would have effectually silenced a weaker 
character. She heeded only the voice of God's 
call and followed where he led. This obedience 
and entire dependence on his direction has char- 
acterized her actions. Of the occasion of the for- 
mation of the Woman's Board Mrs. Dr. Bell writes 



HANDS AT RKST. 1 47 

as follows: "The committee, of which she was 
chairman, was requested by the presiding officer 
to reconsider the location of the Board. Mrs. 
Drennan arose and with great earnestness said: 
'I dare not go beyond that door without the as- 
surance that the Lord will guide in our decision, 
and therefore request an earnest prayer first.' 
Intimately associated with her in an almost sisterly 
relation for thirty-three years, I know this to have 
been the ruling principle of her life." That the 
Lord wished her to become a missionary she had 
overwhelming evidence. When she entered Japan 
she asked, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? 
I am here at thy bidding." The same spirit con- 
tinued to rule as she advanced in the work. On 
one occasion, finding herself alone and a stranger 
in a large city, and undecided what course to pursue, 
she said: 'I could only throw myself at the feet 
of Jesus, and wait his further guidance.'" 

It was this same perfect trust in her Guide that 
enabled her in the midst of a terrific storm on 
the sea, while looking danger fully in the face, to 
breathe a submissive prayer in his ear, and lay 
down in peace and sleep. 

That she was eminently fitted for a pioneer 
missionary was manifest. As soon as she found 
the work firmly established about her, she felt 
called to a more needy field. Like John G. Paton, 
she sought the "hard places," and was ready at all 
times to go where she thought God wanted her 
to go. Many good people talk about living in perfect 
submission to God's will; Mrs. Drennan did it — 
and this must have been the secret of her successes. 
She made no failures because she followed so closely 



148 HANDS AT REST. 

the Guide who makes no mistakes. Through the 
valley of the shadow of death he led her, and on her 
last voyage over the dark river he sustained her, 
and into the home beyond he was still the faithful 
Guide, to lead her to the "place already prepared," 
where she received the "crown of glory that fadeth 
not away." 

The tired body sleeps. The grieved heart knows 
no pain. The "Filled Hands" are "At Rest." 

"Life's race is run, 
Life's work well done, 
Life's victory won." 



HANDS AT REST. 1 49 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

MEMORIES. 

Those who knew Mrs. Drennan intimately miss 
her more and more as the days go by. As one 
who loved her said, "The world is lonelier since 
she went away." Something has gone out of 
life that helped to make it good to live. The 
cheerful voice, the comforting words and wise 
counsel so patiently given, no longer strengthen 
those who had learned to lean on her for support 
and guidance in time of trial. In very tender 
memories are these lessons of the past recalled. 
A characteristic letter, written to one in great 
trial, shows how well Mrs. Drennan knew how to 
comfort, and may still be a blessing to this one 
and others, who may read and need just such advice : 
"Your letter now before me has stirred my heart 
to its depths with sympathy and tender love for 
you in your hour of trial. You ask what I would 
do. No doubt, dear sister, your frail, imperfect, 
hasty tempered friend would have been in bitterest 
rebellion. Do not, I beg you, do as I would have 
done, for I am not so strong in overcoming evil 
as I ought to be. I keep hanging just over my 
table where I now write a card, on which, in 



150 HANDS AT REST. 

beautiful characters, are the words: 'What would 
Jesus do?' I could not tell how many times a day 
I look at that, nor how many times it has helped 
me in my decisions and actions. Do as Jesus would 
do, in the Christ spirit, and only good can come 
to you. Just now these lines came forcibly to my 
mind : 

'God the grayest sky can light 
With a flash of radiance bright ; 
Though the days be bleak and chill, 
Bring thy lovingkindness still.'" 

The following sentiment, so beautifully expressed 
by Mrs. J. H. Goodnight in her little paper, "Wo- 
man's Work," finds an echo in the hearts of all 
Mrs. Drennan's personal friends: "For years the 
name of Mrs. Drennan has been a talisman to the 
women of Kentucky. How we loved her! What 
power she had to arouse our best selves, to make 
us more loyal to the Christ whom she loved with 
a tenderness approaching his own. In clinging 
to him with one hand and offering us the other, 
she drew us onward, upward, as perhaps no other 
woman has ever done. Now that she has passed 
'over the river' her dumb lips speak to us, plead 
with us. The 'speech of the speechless' — how it 
lingers in memory, and oh, the heartache when 
we feel that never again can we hear the gentle 
voice. What she was to her church, what she 
was to Japan, we may in a measure estimate by 
noting what she was to us personally. For she 
was ever a verity in all her associations. Dear 
Mrs. Drennan, your work is finished, and the world 
is lonelier since you went away." 



HANDS AT REST. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

THE FRAGRANCE OF A LIFE. 

It has been said, "A holy life is a voice, and is 
either a constant attraction or a perpetual reproof." 
Truly this voice still speaks through the memory 
of the life of Mrs. Drennan, calling to all people 
to believe in God and do the work he has commanded 
to be done. Her loving, joyous service attracts 
and stimulates to greater effort in Christian living, 
while her self-sacrificing spirit and ceaseless labor 
stand as a constant reproof to all idlers in the 
Lord's vineyard. It is impossible to estimate the 
influence of her life for good, not only in its imme- 
diate results as seen and recognized by all who know 
of her work, but in every life that she touched, 
each receiving and giving out in some degree 
this power for good, thus starting new waves of 
influence that will continue to increase and widen 
through the ages to come. This is eminently true 
of those who have been led by her example to 
engage in the missionary work. Doubtless there 
are many who were led into active Christian life 
through the impress of her life who have not made 
it known; but it is a pleasure to know that there 
was one, at least, who cheered her heart by ac- 



152 HANDS AT REST. 

cording to her the honor of turning her heart in a 
fuller sense God ward. 

Miss Mary Ransom tells of an impulse given to 
her life: "My dear, dear friend: I want to tell 
what was in my heart to tell you before you went 
away, but I did not have an opportunity. You, 
I am sure, do not realize what a tower of strength 
you have been to me since I was but a child. Your 
life, all unknown to yourself, exerted a strong 
influence over me, and, as I have told you before, 
your influence and example brought me to Japan. 
I am so thankful you were here during my first 
year; for although it has not been my privilege 
to see you often, yet every time I have seen you 
I have been strengthened and encouraged. May 
the Lord bless you for all you have been and are 
to me. With a heart full of tender love, 

"Mary Ransom." 

Yoshibumi Abe, a student of Cumberland Uni- 
versity, returned to his home before Mrs. Drennan's 
death. He said in a letter to Dr. C. H. Bell: "I 
am sorry I could not see her before leaving America. 
I am a great debtor to her. Whatever I may be 
able to accomplish for his glory, I am ready to 
give all the credit to her, as well as other friends 
who helped, me." 

Such instances could be multiplied many times, 
and yet fail to give a just appreciation of the 
impress of Mrs. Drennan's character upon the world. 

Soon after Mrs. Drennan's death an article from 
Rev. Mr. Wilson appeared in "The Cumberland 
Presbyterian," and deserves to be inserted here. 
Coming as it does from one in position to know 



HANDS AT REST. 1 53 

her intimately during the period referred to, it 
gives facts not found elsewhere, and also affords 
a glimpse of the dear sister whose heart and home 
were made desolate by this death: 

' ' Perhaps a few lines from my pen about the 
last days of our departed but still dearly beloved 
missionary, Mrs. A. M. Drennan, would be of 
interest to the readers of 'The Cumberland Pres- 
byterian.' She spent most of her time after leaving 
Japan with her sister here in our city. It was my 
privilege to have her in my home many times, and 
also to visit her and sit at her feet and learn of the 
Master. She considered me her pastor, and there- 
fore many things that were deep-rooted in her 
heart she spoke to me about. I wish to write about 
two of them. First, her never-dying, never-tiring 
love for Japan and her own Japanese. I learned 
something of what devotion meant; what conse- 
cration is. Her every power of body, mind, and 
soul was good only to lay on the altar of sacrifice 
for them. Especially was all this true concerning 
the work at Tsu, where she labored so many years, 
and to whom, above all others, is due the honor 
for what is done there. Most of what she did there 
will never be recorded by human pen. Yet, with 
all her devotion to her work in Japan, her loyalty 
and devotion to the church never wavered. 

"She was so helpful to us here; so hopeful, so 
full of faith, yet yearning with all her heart to go 
back to Japan. There seemed to be an uncertainty 
about her being permitted to go back, and to us 
who knew her best there seemed to come from 
her heart something akin to the sob of a child 
taken from its mother. 



154 HANDS AT REST. 

"Some things have been written about the 
beautiful fact of her dying and being buried at 
the old home. To most of us that sentiment is 
beautiful, but nothing was further from her wish. 
Her long-cherished hope was to die and go home 
to her Father from Japan, and in her soil to deposit 
the tired old body to await the resurrection. 

' ' As she told her sister about her people clinging 
to her when she was about to be taken from them, 
her sister said: 'America, I believe that is what 
broke you down.' She replied: 'Sister, that's it.' 
Her sorest affliction was a broken heart. 

"The second thing I wish to say is concerning 
her permanent home here in America. The im- 
pression seems to be that she had no home. But 
such was not the case. She had an only sister 
living, Mrs. M. A. Bell, of this city. It was definitely 
decided before she left for her visit of two months to 
relatives in Missouri that Mrs. Bell's beautiful 
home should shelter them both. Her last plan 
was to be back to Pueblo by July i to spend the 
summer in the mountains. One of the stings in. 
the sorrow of Mrs. Bell is that Mrs. Drennan died 
away from home. But she is gone, and the church 
is richer because of her life and work. May her 
mantle fall on worthy shoulders! Let the church 
not forget in their prayers the sister who loved 
her best. This sorrow and the weight of seventy- 
live years rest upon her. 

Pueblo, Colo." "R. A. N. Wilson. 

Memorial services were held in many of the 
churches in the home land, as well as in her own 
church in Tsu, Japan. Tributes of respect were 



HANDS AT REST. 1 55 

published in the church periodicals. The following 
from the pen of Mr. Landrith, then editor of "The 
Cumberland Presbyterian," gives evidence of the 
veneration and honor accorded her by the church : 

MRS. A. M. DRENNAN RESTS FROM HER LABORS. 

"A meager press notice in a St. Louis paper is 
all the information we have up to the hour when 
this is written concerning the death of Mrs. Drennan, 
June 25. But the great-hearted foreign missionary 
has returned to the devout soul's real home land. 
That is enough to know r , and nobody doubts that. 

"Mrs. Drennan was a great missionary, because 
she was first of all and always a great woman, great 
in her womanliness. She literally mothered the 
heathen into the kingdom of Christ; how many 
only our heavenly Father knows. Others among 
us may preach the brotherhood of man — she 
practiced it, modestly, tenderly, quietly, but con- 
sistently; and w^hen the time came when to her 
associates and to the Woman's Board of Missions 
the Master said of her, as of another such loving fol- 
lower long ago, 'She hath done what she could,' 
and when this divine message was correctly inter- 
preted as an injunction to hasten her home coming 
in order that the end might not come on foreign 
shores, Mrs. Drennan, who had lived for and 
wdth the Japanese, declared that she w T ould be 
happier to die both for and with them. But other 
counsels prevailed, and her eyes, grown dim with 
their long looking upon the footprints of him whom 
she followed, were permitted to close under the same 
skies that gladdened her childhood. But, though 
she could not be allowed to linger in the Sunrise 



156 HANDS AT REST. 

Kingdom until the dawn of the Shadowless Day, she 
still stoutly refused to leave all of Japan behind her, 
hence with her came as her companions and wards — 
may we not say, as the spiritual daughters of her 
consecrated mother-heart- — two Japanese girls, who, 
w r hile they are orphaned by her death, will never 
lack for friends in this goodly land where so many 
people honored and loved Mrs. A. M. Drennan. 
Reader, were you fortunate enough to know per- 
sonally and well this now-rewarded missionary? 
Yes? Then how much richer you are, for during 
these last ripe years she blessed every life she 
touched, and deepened it. 

"Her going to Japan in the beginning was looked 
upon by many as of doubtful missionar) 7 wisdom. 
She was almost an old woman when she first set 
sail, and by sending other than the comparatively 
young the rules of all missionary boards were 
being disregarded. But God appears to delight 
sometimes in breaking man-made rules, for he 
knows what he needs in emergencies and amid 
peculiar conditions better than great councils of 
the most earnest men and women; and, for the 
entire period of her missionary activity, God needed 
Mrs. Drennan in Japan and for the beautiful and 
wholesome influence of her life on the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church in America, and he called her. 
Neither the worker, nor anybody who knew her 
work, ever questioned the fact of her call from God. 

"But her work is done. No, it is only her part 
in her work that is finished. The work is as im- 
mortal as is the translated toiler. For threescore 
years and more than ten she showed other of the 
children of men how to live. Now, she has taught 



HANDS AT REST. 157 

us how to die, full of years and good fruits. Wejl 
earned are the ceaseless joy and eternal rest which 
at last have come to her with the loving Lord's 
welcoming 'Well done.'" 

Mrs. Lyon, who more than any other missionary, 
was associated with Mrs. Drennan in her work in 
Japan, offers this beautiful tribute to her memory, 
and also gives some touching instances of Mrs. 
Drennan's dealings with the old and afflicted ones: 

MRS. DRENNAN. 

'"Mrs. Drennan is dead!'" 

"These words came over the wire only a few 
days ago, bringing sorrow to all our hearts, because 
we all felt that a grand, strong woman had been 
taken from our beloved church — one whom we 
all loved and honored for her consecrated life, 
and deep devotion to the cause of the Master. 

' ' Many of . us who have been in the habit of 
praying for her and her work daily will miss her 
in our devotions, but if we shall miss her, how 
much more will the work, and those associated 
with her, and those whose lives she has blessed 
and encouraged, miss her. 

" It was my privilege to be associated with Mrs. 
Drennan for several years in the Master's work, 
and I can say without reserve that she never 
flinched at any duty, pleasant or otherwise, that 
presented itself. 

"She was always earnest and solicitous, never 
shrinking, but rather seeking opportunities to do 
something to extend the kingdom of Christ in the 
hearts of those around her. 

Many times while laid on a bed of sickness 



158 HANDS AT REST. 

she would teach a Bible lesson or give instruction 
to her Bible women who were about to start out 
for house-to-house visitation, and would receive 
their reports when they came in from such work 
or meetings. 

"She was always planning to make the work 
attractive and effective and with what success 
her friends in Japan are all ready to testify. 

"There are many lives over there that have 
been made happier by her ministrations. Many 
of the Japanese homes are happy and are thanking 
and praising God to-day, that perhaps would not 
have known of the love and sacrifice of Jesus but 
for her. 

"Her life there was full of changes. Often she 
was invited to visit the elegant homes of the rich, 
but more often was she found in the homes of the 
old and poor, the sick and blind. 

"Well do I remember an old blind man that 
lived in the city of Tsu. He had become totally 
blind when he was old and of course was poor and 
helpless. She gave of her own means and solicited 
from others who had enough and to spare, and also 
interested herself in procuring some light work 
that the wife could do, thus keeping them together 
and making the darkened home happy. They came 
to the church and learned of the true life, too. 
Often they used to come to thank her for coming 
to Japan. 

"She seemed to take especial pleasure in gathering 
about her the old people and reading to them from 
the word of God of the great salvation prepared 
for them, and how some of the dear old faces would 
shine when thev came to realize that it was trulv 



HANDS AT REST. 159 

for them! It was indeed a pleasure and a joy to 
see them. 

"They will all miss her and feel that they have 
sustained a personal loss. 

"It was fortunate that she was permitted to 
die in her old home and that her dear, faithful O 
Tsura San could be with her to the last. No one 
knew her desires better or could minister to her 
wants so well as she. God will surely reward her 
for all her self-sacrifice. 

"Truly a great life has gone out and the Church 
upon earth will miss her, but our loss is only gain 
to her. 

"Let us pray that a double portion of her spirit 
may possess 'some one who may be ready to take 
up the work in the Lord's vineyard. 

"St. Louis, Mo." "Mrs. N. A. Lyon. 

The readers of this little volume, doubtless, will 
be glad to know the present condition of the work 
in the province that had been the field of Mrs. 
Drennan's labor during the past ten years of her 
life. Rev. John E. Hail furnishes this information 
in a paper dated December 5. It speaks well for 
Mrs. Drennan's foresight and good judgment, and 
is very gratifying to her friends, that her plans 
have been so carefully carried out, and that even 
her suggestions were treasured, and are being acted 
upon by the children. 

THE TSU CHURCH AND MRS. DRENNAN. — DEC. 1903. 

BY REV. JOHN E. HAIL, 

N. H. Biddle, Missionary to Japan. 

"About a year and a half ago, acting on the lines 

of a suggestion made by Mrs. Drennan, the mission 



l6o HANDS AT REST. 

appointed me to take charge of all the "men's work' ' 
in the northern half of Mie Province. 

"Obeying this order, I moved here in May, 1902. 
Mrs. Drennan was exceedingly kind to me, securing 
a house just around the corner and across the street 
from her home — a most delightful place it is — and 
helping me in every possible way in starting out 
in it as a bachelor housekeeper. 

' ' Since then it has been not only my duty, but 
pleasure also, to become thoroughly acquainted 
with every aspect of the work in the Tsu church, 
so far as is possible. 

''It is fit that the relation of the church to her, 
from the time I came here until she closed her 
eyes to earthly scenes only to open them to heavenly 
visions, be recorded. 

" For what the church is to-day in every respect, 
all credit belongs to Mrs. Drennan, and the Japanese 
who labored with her. The Congregationalists 
once labored in Tsu, but all the fruits of their 
efforts had disappeared when Mrs. Drennan began 
her work here. Mrs. Drennan 'mothered' the work 
practically alone for years and under her leadings 
this, our church, in this hard field, the capital of 
Mie Province, grew up to what it is to-day. The 
method of work now followed, the manner of the 
workers, the prayers of the Christians, the Sunday 
school, everything bears the impress of Mrs. Dren- 
nan' s personality. 

"What was the effect of Mrs. Drennan' s return 
to America on our congregation? 

"Of course, when first the idea of parting with 
'Sensie' was broached as a possibility, it came as 
a heavv shock to the little band she had been mother 



HANDS AT REST. 16 1 

to in so many ways. But gradually the members 
of the church came to acquiesce in it as of God's 
doing. 

"After the first shock of parting was over, those 
in charge of the work, Japanese and foreign, found 
their responsibility and labors much increased. 
This was particularly noticeable at first. 

"By some it was thought that, with Mrs. Dren- 
nan's absence on furlough, there would come a 
marked falling off in the different lines of work 
she had pursued, and in the church membership 
and in the Sunday school. But, on the contrary, 
there has been a gradual development and growth 
in every way. Her mainstays in the work here — 
excepting Tsura San, who is now in America — 
are working in the Tsu church, just as they did 
before she left for the home land. 

"When the sad news of Mrs. Drennan's death 
came, Pastor Banno, Miss Hara O Yone and others 
of the Tsu workers were in Arima at the summer 
school. Immediate arrangements were made for 
a memorial service to be held at the Tsu church 
the following Sunday, July 26. The order of the 
service, which began at nine in the morning, was 
as follows: 

"Invocation, Pastor Banno. 

"Hymn, 'My hope is built on nothing less,' etc. 

"Brief history of Mrs. Drennan's life and work 
in Japan, Pastor Banno. 

"Prayer, Ruling Elder Yoshida. 

' ' Hymn, ' Must Jesus bear the Cross Alone ? ' 

"Speech, Ruling Elder Iwasaki. 

"Reading of letter of sympathy from John E. 
Hail, Evangelist, Fugii. 



1 62 HANDS AT REST. 

"Prayer, Evangelist Takanoga. 

"Hymn, 'My Latest Sun Is Sinking Fast.' 

"Benediction, Pastor Banno. 

"The whole service was in true Japanese style 
and exceedingly affecting. The hymns chosen 
were favorites of Mrs. Drennan's, and for her had 
been sung again and again before in the humble 
little church building and in her Tsu home. 

"Just at the close of the service some one sug- 
gested, and it was immediately decided, to buy 
Mrs. Drennan's organ, the one she had used in her 
home for so long a time, for use in the church ser- 
vices. A committee was at once appointed to 
raise the needful sum, fifty-three yen. The church 
members, however, contributed so liberally that 
sixty-five yen were raised altogether, not one cent 
of which had come from any foreigner. 

"The church at the memorial service was most 
appropriately decorated by the loving hands of 
her Japanese friends. The most striking thing- 
was the life-size picture of Mrs. Drennan which 
was hung immediately in front of the pulpit, and 
draped with black crepe and evergreens. This 
was left in its place thus for one month. 

On August 26 the organ committee purchased 
Mrs. Drennan's organ. This they had thoroughly 
overhauled and revarnished. Mrs. Drennan's pic- 
ture — a small size picture — was mounted on the 
organ, and on the following Sunday a short dedi- 
cation service was held, setting apart the organ 
to the service of God. 

"Besides the purchase and repairing of the organ, 
the committee bought an organ lamp stand, and 



HANDS AT REST. 1 63 

then turned the remaining five yen over to the 
children's fund. 

"This children's fund was started by the Sunday 
school children, the primary department of the 
Sunday school, to raise funds for much-needed 
enlargement of the present building for Sunday 
school and church services. The church services 
are crowded, and the Sunday school has entirely 
outgrown the building. Last Sunday, October 4, 
we began the holding of a class out of doors, while 
the audience room and Sunday school room were 
filled with the Sunday school pupils. What we 
will do when cold weather sets in in earnest is a 
very serious problem. 

"Mrs. Drennan had suggested to the elders of 
the church soon after her return to the home land 
that they attempt to raise money to build a new 
Sunday school room, or to enlarge or rebuild the 
church building, saying that she thought she could 
get them some financial assistance from among 
some of her American friends. But the elders were 
afraid that the church was not yet financially strong 
enough to make the attempt, and so advised her. 

"However, the little children had been talking 
the matter over, and they started a building fund 
among themselves. Shortly after this Mr. Kioka's 
little girl, a member of the Sunday school, died; 
and soon after her burial in the cemetery, secured 
for the church by Mrs. Drennan' s efforts, after the 
lonely little cross marking her grave had been set 
up, her father gave thirty-five yen to the children's 
fund in memory of his little daughter. 

"With additions 'from one source and another 
to the children's fund thus unexpectedly coming 



164 HANDS AT REST. 

in, the older people are beginning almost to wonder 
if their children are wiser than themselves. 

"The children are in earnest. Every Saturday 
they spend two and a half or three hours at work to 
make their pennies. Some gather waste paper 
and sell it, making for an afternoon's work less than 
the widow's mite. 

"Others buy waste threads and twist them to- 
gether for use in the looms here. 

"And word has just come that Tsu is to have 
something new — something it has never had before 
— doughnuts! Some of the older Sunday school 
girls have just learned how to make doughnuts, 
and they are to commence selling them next 
Saturday. It is supposed that the doughnuts, 
being a novelty, will earn more dimes than all 
the other ways put together! 

"Whatever becomes of the pennies the baby 
fingers have earned or of the work these baby 
hands have done, whether it comes to nothing or 
some masons will finish the work the children 
have begun, we know it will all be blessed of our 
Master, whom the little ones loved long ago, and 
love to-day. 

"Tsu, Ise, Japan.'" 

Few lives have been so full of good deeds. No 
one could be with her without feeling her presence 
a benediction. There was something in her greet- 
ing in her conversation and in her letters that 
tended to cleanse, purify, and baptize with a new 
purpose in well doing. Individually I feel a great 
emotion of gratitude that I knew her personally, 
and in some measure had the privilege o fher con- 



HANDS AT REST. 1 65 

fidence. Her death is recognized as a loss to hu- 
manity at large, a loss to the nation that gave 
her birth, to the church of her choice, to her perso- 
nal friends, but most of all to the people for whom 
she labored, suffered and died. In the hearts of 
the people of Japan no less than in the home land, 
she still lives. When the great Carey, just before 
his death, was visited by Dr. Duff, he said: "When 
I am gone, say nothing of Carey, but tell of Carey's 
Savior." If a message could be received from 
Mrs. Drennan, doubltess it would be similar to this: 
Write not of me or my work only as it may lead 
others to my Master, and thus indeed is the purpose 
of this little volume. If by this means some may 
be persuaded to accept the Christ she served his 
name will be honored, her dearest wish gratified 
and the author's aim realized. 

MRS. DRENNAN' S CHARGE TO THE CHURCH AT TSU. 

Brethren, care for it tenderly; let no root of 
bitterness spring up among you to mar the sweet 
harmony which prevails; let the spirit of Christ 
fill all hearts, lead every action, preside in every 
conference and guide every decision, that God 
may be honored and glorified in all you do and say; 
that many, seeing your good works, may be led 
to the Savior whom you love and serve, and above 
all I would say, in earnest, pleading tones, keep 
our Heavenly Father in your midst, in your hearts, 
in your work, your meetings, your church, your 
lives. 

August, 1902. 



NOV 5 1904 



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